By Anna Yoder | Columnist

“You scream, I scream, we all scream for ice cream” are the catchy lyrics of the 1925 song entitled “Ice Cream” recorded by Fred Waring and the Pennsylvanians. Many of us (who are older) have chanted that phrase as we waited our turn at the neighborhood ice cream truck or local Dairy Queen.

I will bet that even to this day, in anticipation of holding that dripping ice cream cone on a hot summer day, children (likely taught by their parents or grandparents) still recite those old lyrics.

Lucky for us, it is at Happy Day Dessert Factory — owned by Galen Moorer (father and son team) — where, on the Northside, you can indulge and cool off with one of summer’s favorite treats.

Happy Day Dessert Factory has been making “everyone happy” since 2020 when, during that pesky pandemic, they could only offer takeout service. However, the Moorer family has been in the frozen dessert industry long before they opened Happy Day. Do you recall the former Rita’s Italian Ice on East Ohio Street? It was owned and operated by the Galen Moorer family. After many years with Rita’s, they had yearned to become an independent business and made that dream come true with Happy Day Dessert Factory.

Ironically, the business name of Happy Day Dessert Factory is also connected to an old song and family. Happy Day Dessert Factory was named after the 1967 gospel music arrangement of the 1755 hymn song entitled “Oh Happy Day” which was “always sung” by the younger Galen’s grandmother and who was “always happy.” The younger Galen said that their family is inspired by his grandmother’s happy disposition from which his family takes her “good vibes.”

In addition to the father and son team, Galen’s sister and cousin also work at Happy Day Dessert Factory where the family strives to “make everyone happy” and hopes the customers “walk out with a smile” on their faces.

In addition to “making everything with love,” the younger Galen explained that to ensure the freshest and tastiest products, their ice cream, ice water, and cookies are made “in house.” The various ice cream recipes are developed by the Moorer family and for which they contend it is the 15% butter fat that makes their ice cream so flavorful.

And it is their beloved grandmother’s cookie recipe that they use to create those mouth watering cookies for their ice cream sandwiches (Yes, you can buy just the homemade cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth.)

Happy Day Dessert Factory prides itself on being “all inclusive” and “tries to have something for everyone” and offers a wide variety of ice cream and water ice flavors to choose from daily. For those who are vegan or lactose intolerant, they also have plant-based ice cream made with coconut milk. And if ice cream is not your thing, they have pretzels (three different flavors!) and funnel cakes. Truly something for everyone.

If you want to spoil yourself with an extra special ice cream treat, order the customer favorite – “The Cookie Monster.” It is concocted with a combination of their grandmother’s chocolate chip, sugar, and sprinkle cookies crushed with Oreos and fudge stripes, then mixed with honey vanilla ice cream and what else? All dyed blue like Sesame Street’s Cookie Monster character!

The second customer favorite ice cream flavor is a little more tame — cookies and cream. I adore their plain old chocolate which is so creamy and silky. I simply do not think about the 15% butter fat (or the calories) that makes it that way when I indulge in a double scoop waffle cone.

Since they opened their doors, Happy Day Dessert Factory has been the distinguished recipient of several grants. Most recently they were awarded the “2023 Barclays Small Business Big Wins” grant which is a national contest for small businesses. Out of 50,000 applications, they came in an outstanding sixth place with a grant of $5,000 (A plaque displayed on the ice cream counter is evidence of this award).

The Moorer family says they “love their job” which is apparent in their newest venture — Happy Day Dessert Factory Ice Cream Bus! The ice cream bus is their catering business which finished its first year of operation in June. The ice cream bus is a vibrant and fun truck which serves all the products you will find in their store at private and community events. What a perfect way to celebrate your child’s birthday! Galen emphasized that the young and old alike share the “love for cool desserts” and he serves a range of customers … so do not be shy to rent the ice cream bus for a retirement party too!

The next time the temperatures rise and you want to cool off with a tasty dairy (or non-dairy) treat; stop by the Happy Day Dessert Factory on Western Avenue and grab an ice cream cone and a smile.

Happy Day Dessert Factory is located at 906A Western Ave. They are open from noon to 9 p.m. every day and can be reached at (412) 872-0117.