Avondale has been a trusted name in Niagara Region since 1931. What started as a small dairy operation and milk delivery service (Avondale Farms Dairy) has evolved into over 90 convenience stores owned and operated locally that are a testament to hard work, commitment, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. When Harry W. Stewart started delivering milk from the family farm on Stewart Road on the Lake in Niagara, it was the beginning of a legacy of delivering valuable customer service for generations to come.

Avondale continues to grow and adapt to meet community needs and continue to deliver the quality and customer service they are known for. To keep their neighbors coming back, their goods are constantly checked and revised. Avondale is more than just a convenience store–now they are selling prepared food, general merchandise and clothing. Avondale is really a one-stop shop.

All their ice cream with 15 percent milk butterfat base is made fresh everyday on site. They made about a hundred different flavors last year. All the ingredients are combined by hand in the ice cream, providing lots of soft serve ice cream options, frozen yogurt, cakes and pies.

Harry W. Stewart started supplying milk from his family farm on Stewart Road to St. Catharines households. He built on his property a small pasteurizing plant with shipments made in 1931 with one horse and wagon.

Then, Frank W. Stewart began a second milk route, while the other Stewart kids, Margery, Fred, Jim, Bob and Bill were working in the plant and doing farm chores when they were not in college in 1934.

Robert G. Stewart, Avondale Stores Limited's former president, launched the area's third milk route in 1942.

In 1949, when Harry W. Stewart was hit by an automobile and killed, tragedy fell on the Stewart family.

After 18 years, in St. Catharines and Highway 8 West, Avondale had expanded to a 1,000-acre farm operation on Stewart Road and Carleton Street. Avondale also serviced five milk delivery routes as a result of this development.

In 1950, Avondale launched its 24-hour operation to supply milk to ships passing the Welland Canal.

The Avondale Dairy Bar was built for the public to manufacture and sell ice cream. Then, the supply networks of Avondale continued to grow with the acquisition of Emmett's milk road service ships along the new public routes of the Welland Canal and Garden City Dairy. The increasing number of milk routes required the construction of a new dairy processing plant behind the dairy bar to ease the pressures on the old plant's capacity.

The first Avondale Convenience Store was opened in 1965 in Vineland on Victoria Avenue. Store # 1, as an ice cream parlor, restaurant and convenience store, brought a new customer service experience to the area.

Cultural Value

Soft serve is a US ice cream style. Comparing to normal ice cream, soft serve has about twice lower milk-fat. It cannot be packaged and sold in supermarkets because of the temperature.

In addition, frozen yogurt was originally created in the Middle East but first commercially sold in New England. According to the literal meaning, frozen yogurt uses yogurt as its main ingredients. It may be healthier than other ice creams because of the small portion of sugar and fat.

Great Value

Comparing to other ice cream stores, Avondale Dairy Bar can undoubtedly represent the great value. Every product even the waffle cones in Avondale is bigger than almost anywhere. The price is also very reasonable.

Chunky Heavenly Hash

This is a chocolate flavoured soft serve ice cream with chocolate chips, cookie doughs, chocolate fudge. This top flavoured ice cream has very rich tastes. The soft serve ice cream will quickly melt in your mouth and leave the sweetness for a long time.

Vanilla Frozen Yogurt

Vanilla frozen yogurt is a classic choice. What is highlighting about this option is that the yogurt is originally made from Avondale's milk. The taste of Avondale's frozen yogurt is much richer than anywhere else. This flavour can best express the fascinating taste of Avondale's yogurt.

Avondale Dairy is owned and operated by the Stewart family.

This location is wheelchair and mobility scooter assessible.

Phone: (905) 687-7403

Fax: (905) 562-4414

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Avondale.Dairy.Bars/

For further information, please visit the official Avondale Dairy Bar website https://avondaledairybar.com/