Heisler’s Cloverleaf Dairy, along with its snack bar and miniature golf courses, were recently sold.

Despite a change in ownership for the 100-year-old business, new owners Dwight Zimmerman and his wife, Kathi, plan to carry on the business’s name and many of its traditions.

“It’s such a part of the fabric of the community and our desire is to keep it and just grow it and make it a vibrant, sustainable business,” Dwight Zimmerman said.

The Zimmermans purchased the Lewistown Valley property, which also includes a driving range, arcade and gift shop, earlier this week. Ann Ostergaard and her late husband, Leonard, had operated it for the past 44 years.

Already, the Zimmermans are working to expand the market of Heisler’s made-on-site ice creams and other frozen treats.

They’re also looking to open the seasonal countryside dairy bar and golf during the first week of April, Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman 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, in turn, was used — and is still used — in Heisler’s ice cream.

Without a doubt, it’s Zimmerman’s favorite brand of ice cream. He recalled purchasing the sweet treat from a store in Shartlesville for many years.

“I absolutely just always loved their ice cream,” Zimmerman said.

So when he and Kathi purchased The Pretzel Hut near Lititz two years ago, he knew “right away” that they had to serve Heisler’s ice cream.

“We worked it out with them,” he said of the Ostergaards. “We got their ice cream there and through that relationship, here we are today. It’s pretty exciting.”

In addition to operating The Pretzel Hut, Zimmerman worked for Dieffenbach’s Potato Chips.

“So I also have experience on the retail side,” he said. “It was kind of that perfect fit between the experience with the food and restaurant side and the retail side.”

With the dairy bar’s opening date more than a month away, Zimmerman is focusing on expanding the reach of Heisler’s ice cream.

“Heisler’s gets a lot of requests for products in stores in the surrounding area,” Zimmerman noted. “We’re looking forward to growing our delivery service area so we can fulfill some of these requests for Heisler’s product.”

As for the dairy bar, Zimmerman said they will focus on updates and enhancements before opening in the spring.

“The core of what it is, we’re not changing that. We’re looking to maintain it and do some updates,” he explained. “Ann and her late husband, Len, did such a great job with it over the years.”

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.

Zimmerman said he and his wife are proud to be part of the family’s continuing legacy.

“We are just grateful for the opportunity. It’s an honor to carry that forward, what’s been there for so many years,” Zimmerman said.