Just outside of St. Catharines, Ontario, there is small retail operation attached to a dairy barn. In the early 1960s the owners of the small dairy decided to produce and sell their own ice cream. It was a rich, creamy product in a dozen varieties. For years people from the city and surrounding areas would drive out, particularly on warm weekends, and treat their families to cones, sundaes and a whole selection of delicious ice cream. Today, Avondale Dairy (along with its 78 regional convenience stores) is owned by the Beatrice Foods organization, but the special service and excellent product still attract thousands of customers each year to the farm outside town.