After 85 years as a family-owned and operated business, Mooresville Ice Cream Company – maker of the renowned DeLuxe Ice Cream brand -- is changing hands.
President Gene Millsaps said Tuesday the company founded by his grandfather, R.C. Millsaps, in 1924 has been purchased by Stamey Farms of Statesville, which will lead a partnership in continuing business operations.
"Nobody can stay in a business forever," said Millsaps who manages Mooresville Ice Cream Company with two other third-generation family members, Vice President Buddy Millsaps and corporate secretary Carol Sloop.
Younger generations in the Millsaps family, he added, haven't shown a "strong interest in pursuing" the ice cream business.
Gene Millsaps said a relationship between his company and Stamey Farms has existed "for a while," but the ownership change will allow the popular DeLuxe brand to continue and improve.
"They have a large dairy herd, but have also become international exporters of dairy cattle," Millsaps said of Stamey Farms, adding that they have "headstrong dairy experience," but have not been involved in prior dairy processing – in particular, turning milk into ice cream. Millsaps said the Statesville business has been in operation since about 1951.
"The Stamey family has committed to maintaining the high quality of the DeLuxe Ice Cream product line and to improvements in the product line and brand promotion," Millsaps said .
Mooresville Ice Cream Company's processing facility on Broad Street will remain for "at least the near future," he said, noting that the next several months will provide a transition period for the management.
The company's employees, he added, were informed of the changes before the Millsaps family went public with their decision.
Hoping that the new business venture will strengthen the DeLuxe Ice Cream brand, Millsaps said that selling the company was a "good thing to do" to maintain the 85-year-old product line.
"If there's a way to make a graceful exit … it's better to do it that way."
He added, "Both families look forward to a smooth transition and an improved and stronger DeLuxe Ice Cream brand."
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