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There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later. Kindle Edition Verified Purchase. I gave this book 5 stars because it had so much detail. I don't think there are many history of Isaly's books out there, so that seems to be exactly what we need. I admit, I did skim over some of the family history, gets a little boring, but it's good to know that we have it all right here.
I grew up in the '50's and 60's with an Isaly's in my home town just southwest of Pittsburgh, Pa. We had chipped ham sandwiches for lunch several times a week and, at the time, I thought it was the best food on earth. Today, when I see the Klondikes in grocery stores, I don't buy them because they are not what they used to be.
That is why I bought this book; wanted to find out what happened to Isaly's since I moved to Colorado 27 years ago. This book will answer that question and a lot more.
So 5 stars for content, but maybe only 3 for a book that you can't put down. One person found this helpful 2 people found this helpful. I was delighted to find the book on Isaly's. From the Skyscraper cones to the Klondikes and the Chipped Chopped Ham sandwiches -- this book took me back to a place I loved. Hands down, they made the best milk shakes and served fresh, delicious hot coffee.
The stores had counter stools and booth seating and I spent many hours of my youth indulging in their decadent pleasures. The book is a great read and a pleasure to learn more about the Isaly family. Brisk enjoyable chronicle of the regional Isaly Dairy chain concentrated in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. The founding family of Swiss-immigrant dairy farmers produced enough offspring to supply the management for this thriving chain. Rather than a trust or massive corporation, the far-flung chain's structure took the form of a confederation appropriate to its Swiss heritage.
Standardization among the half-dozen virtually autonomous regional operations was maintained as the relatives with a shared outlook were transferred between the branches. As the business grew from farm to production plants and milk-delivery routes to retail lunchrooms, gasoline stations, and franchises, the diligent managers did their homework and maintained an uncompromising customer focus, constantly improving hygiene, appearance, efficiency, and product lines.
The author asserts that the Whitehouse ice-cream flavor was an Isaly concoction. Dairy products and soda fountains benefited from the Prohibition experiment. Employees and patrons alike responded to the genial small-town family atmosphere. Bob Evans meets Chick-fil-A, would be a rough latter-day comparison. Expansion from Ohio into the Pittsburgh market in the teeth of the Great Depression proved to be a home run, unlike so many businesses which ended in failure by overextending themselves at exactly the wrong moment.
The advance planning, thrift, and customer orientation were a Godsend to the hard-working population living from hand to mouth in western Pennsylvania. Isaly's even kept abreast of the latest architectural styles, sprucing up not only the company-owned stores, but the franchises as well.
Complacent stagnation set in following World War II. Resting on its past tried-and-true innovations, the company failed to take advantage of opportunities to invest in the nascent McDonald's fast-food concept or even the Eat'n Park restaurant chain founded by one of its own managers and flourishing to this day in Isaly's old service area. Ironically one of the new competitors, Arby's, sprang from Isaly's Youngstown, O. The proliferating fast-food chains steadily decimated Isaly's old-fashioned cafeteria soda-fountain youth hangouts.
So ingrained was brand loyalty, however, that many faithful patrons continued to turn first to Isaly's for its unique familiar high-quality dairy products and lunchmeats in preference to the new supermarkets or convenience stores. Fast food was becoming popular.
People started going to supermarkets. Henry died in Valiant attempts were made to revive the business, but in the early s, the company was sold. It's Not What You Think Tracing the story of the chain back to its roots — which, surprisingly, are not in Pittsburgh. Aquatic Playpen is Coming to the Shores of the Ohio River The planned 2-acre lagoon along the Ohio riverfront will feature turquoise waters in the summer and be transformed into an ice rink in the winter.
These Couples Have Officially Won the Game of Love There is no formula for finding love, but for these couples, there is one common factor: Beehive is Soon to Buzz No More in the 'Burgh The South Side coffee shop home to Pittsburgh artists for almost 30 years is closing — but the legacy of its longtime resident coffee drinkers and thinkers lives on.
Duolingo Co-Founder to Receive Major MIT Prize The language-learning app is no stranger to the Pittsburgh news, but the business is making headlines once again thanks to an accomplishment by one of its creators. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. The Story of Isaly's really liked it 4. A sweet reading treat. A must-read book for all A sweet reading treat. A must-read book for all ice cream lovers.
This book traces its history and the rise and fall of its creator company, Isaly's Dairy, which evolved from one milk wagon to a dozen plants that supplied its delis and dairies by the s. The family company thrived on sound business practices and good customer relations and was known for its famous chipped ham and ice cream novelties-the Skyscraper cone and the Klondike. The author shows how changing consumer habits weakened the family enterprise but led them to take the Klondike national. Filled with photos and vintage ads. Paperback , pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Sep 26, Jenn rated it liked it Shelves: I found this at my library and checked it out to show my parents, who both worked at Isaly's as teenagers. My dad, after reading the section about skyscraper cones, had this to say: Feb 12, Jack rated it it was amazing. Oct 03, Barbara Biasiotta rated it really liked it.
Deb rated it really liked it Sep 15, Sabooski's Meow rated it really liked it Mar 05, Nicolyn Colbert rated it really liked it Feb 27, Anthony Vamivakas rated it it was amazing Nov 30,