Heisler’s Dairy Bar is opening today with new ownership and some new features.

But Dwight and Kathi Zimmerman, who purchased the Lewistown Valley business in February, are keeping much of what visitors have enjoyed for decades.

Of course, there’s the ice cream — made on-site at Heisler’s Cloverleaf Dairy. The 35-plus flavors range from chocolate and vanilla to butterscotch, teaberry, cotton candy, maple walnut, tin roof sundae, rocky road, banana, cashews and raspberry, pralines and cream and coconut almond fudge.

“We are going to have all the wonderful hand-scooped flavors that have been offered in the past,” Dwight said.

Knowing that some are split between hand-dipped and soft serve — or on “both sides of the ice cream fence” as Zimmerman said — the business will now swirl soft-serve into cones and dishes.

Staff dished out both during a soft opening held Tuesday evening for family, friends and those who’ve helped with recent projects.

It was a “test-run,” Zimmerman said, before the official opener.

Guests lined up to the concession stand, where the kitchen had received several upgrades.

Heisler’s favorites, such as its beef barbecue, remain on the menu.

“We added some new items,” Zimmerman said.

Instead of the crinkle cut fries previously offered, the business now will serve fresh cut fries cooked in avocado oil. They can be ordered “bottomless” and are dished into paper cone containers, ready to be topped with ketchup, salt — or even vinegar.

Smash burgers are new, too, as are value meals. Hot dogs, cheese steaks and pierogies remain on the menu — only now the pierogies can be ordered the traditional way or loaded with cheese.

And since the Zimmermans own The Pretzel Hut near Lititz, it’s only natural that the snack will be available at Heisler’s.

To try one, visit the site of the former pizza shop and gift store.

“We are converting that into the pretzel shop,” Zimmerman said, estimating that it will be open later this month. “We are going to be making handmade soft pretzels, made from scratch, rolled, baked and served.”

The two, 18-hole miniature golf courses — along with the driving range — are ready to go.

And, Zimmerman said, a large play area for kids was installed.

“We’re excited about that. We have picnic tables out there with umbrellas to provide some shade,” he said. “We are planting some trees, and it’s a place for families to visit. It doesn’t cost anything. Kids can play while their parents relax.”

Heisler’s pavilion and picnic tables remain — but additional shaded seating has been added close to the dairy bar.

In the evenings, the business will turn on new string lights that are draped around the property.

“They go all the way out to the playground,” Zimmerman said.

Plans are to operate the business Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. As the season progresses, Zimmerman hopes to have it open daily.

“We have a lot of great staff members that are returning and that is helpful,” Zimmerman said.

New employees will also be hired.

“A lot of these jobs are the first jobs for young people and they are going away and off to college, so you have to hire more,” Zimmerman said.

Heisler’s was most recently operated by Ann Ostergaard and her late husband, Leonard.

The Zimmermans have some ties to the Ostergaards and Heislers. Zimmerman noted that he grew up on a dairy farm near Hamburg that still produces milk for Guers Dairy, which is a few miles from Heisler’s. The milk was used — and is still used — in Heisler’s ice cream.

The ice cream was always Zimmerman’s favorite — so much so that he had it shipped to The Pretzel Hut for customers there to enjoy.

According to its website, Heisler’s Cloverleaf Dairy was operated by the same family for 102 years. It started in 1924 by Morris Heisler, who began his milk delivery business by selling milk by the ladleful from his front door. The business grew and in 1957, he began making ice cream and opened the dairy bar. About 44 years ago, Leonard Ostergaard — one of Heisler’s nephews — took ownership.