LIMA – The weather on Wednesday was typical for a mid-March day in northwest Ohio; partly cloudy with temperatures hovering in the mid 50-degree range. Not exactly the kind of day that sends area residents outside in search of ice cream or a milkshake, but it was the day that the Sharon Dairy King at 2825 W. Elm St. opened for its 50th season in Lima.
Tim Swick is the second-generation owner of the Sharon Dairy King, taking the operation of the family business over from his parents – James and Barbara – in 1971.
A question he is often asked is: Who is Sharon?
“Well, there is no Sharon,” Swick said with a laugh. “The business got its name because the Sharon Park subdivision sits right behind us.”
An institution in Lima, the Dairy King opens every year around the middle of March. But with temperatures next week forecast to be more in keeping with winter weather than springtime, “I may have started a little early this year,” Swick said with a laugh.
Nonetheless, he called Wednesday “a great opening day” and said it was nice to welcome employees, a mixture of adults and school-age workers, back to the store. Around 25 employees keep the Dairy King churning throughout the season. Finding help can be a challenge, especially among school-age employees, Swick conceded. “But if I can keep the kids for a year or two they usually stay here all the way through college. I now have former employees’ kids working for me.”
Despite less than ideal temperatures on opening day, the drive-thru business at the store was steady, he said. The drive-thru has surpassed the walk-up window business in recent years, to the point that Swick said he’s “tempted” to put in a second such access.
The Sharon Dairy King is perhaps best known for its orange sherbet, a mix of vanilla and orange flavors. “We’ve had that for probably 20 years. For anyone old enough to remember, it tastes like a Dreamsicle,” the owner said. Other favorites include tornadoes, milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits and a buckeye parfait – a dish with vanilla ice cream, buckeyes and peanut butter and hot fudge toppings.
Sandwich selections include shredded chicken, shredded barbecue beef, sloppy Joes, foot-long coney dogs and sausage sandwiches.
Through 50 years of business, the Lima community has supported the eatery, and Swick couldn’t be more appreciative.
“I appreciate the support of the community. If not for them I wouldn’t be here. We are so blessed,” he said.
The business will remain open until the end of September.
