Contact Us
ADDRESS
12 Great Road
Maynard, MA, 01754
United States
Hours
OUR STAND IS CLOSED FOR THE SEASON. SEE YOU IN THE SPRING FOR OUR 90TH YEAR!
Since 1937
OUR FAMILY HAS PRODUCED PREMIUM QUALITY ICE CREAM
It all started when…
Hans Erikson Sr. founded Erikson’s Dairy in 1901, in Stow MA, he delivered milk from his cows to the community by horse and wagon. His son, Hans Erikson Jr., the founder of Erikson’s Ice Cream, worked on the farm until he joined the Army in World War I. In 1923, Hans Jr. married Mary Boyd. Hans Sr. sold the milk business to Hans Jr. and Mary when he retired. In 1937, Hans Jr. built new buildings in Maynard, to house the dairy and a new ice cream stand. He was determined to make and sell the best quality ice cream—which, using Hans’ recipes, we still do!
World War II brought some challenges to the dairy. Rationing of sugars and fats forced the business to close three days a week, but after the war, the business grew rapidly. Hans chose not to expand the plant, but to maintain one stand and focus on quality and service.
In 1955, the third generation of Erikson’s entered the business. Hans’ daughter Arlene joined Erikson’s and in the same year, she married Joe Fraser of Maynard, who also joined the enterprise. In 1961, Hans Erikson Jr. and his wife sold both the milk delivery and ice cream businesses to Joe and Arlene. The pair made significant investments in the business and a corporation was formed; the business was now known as Erikson’s Dairy Inc.
Arlene and Joe Fraser continued to make and sell ice cream. Their three sons—Thomas, Bob and Scott—worked in the business in both manufacturing and retail capacities, while developing their own careers in engineering. Joe Fraser passed away in 1999, but Arlene continued to maintain ownership of the business until she departed in 2017.
The business then passed on to their three sons, Thomas, Bob, and Scott, who carried on the family tradition of excellence, quality, and fun! In 2026 the family lost Scott after a stroke, and his share of the business passed to his four children, Alex, Caroline, Eric, and Laura. Thomas, together with his wife Irene, operates the business, with the essential help of their son, Robert, from the fifth generation to carry the tradition. Irene is the executive manager of Erikson’s, working hard to make sure the premium products Erikson’s customers have loved since 1937 will be available far into the future!
Erikson's at a glance
1901 Hans Erikson Sr. starts Erikson's Dairy in Stow, delivering milk by horse and wagon.
1937 Hans Jr. and Mary build the dairy and an ice cream stand on Great Road in Maynard.
1940s Wartime sugar rationing closes the stand three days a week. After the war, it comes back stronger.
1955 Arlene Erikson and Joe Fraser join the business. In 1961 they take it over as Erikson's Dairy Inc.
1987 Fifty years of ice cream. Arlene and Joe present the history of Erikson's to the Maynard Historical Society.
2017 Thomas, Bob and Scott carry the tradition forward. Thomas and Irene run the stand with help from the fifth generation.
2026 In loving memory of Scott Fraser. His share of the business passes to his children, Alex, Caroline, Eric and Laura.
2027 Our 90th summer on Great Road.
In the press
"Rich and thick, and thankfully not too sweet." Boston Magazine, Best of Boston 2000: Best Ice Cream
"It's an old-fashioned recipe. We've tried to keep the ingredients the same." Irene Fraser to WBZ NewsRadio, 2011