How Four Brothers Turned A Small Findlay, Ohio Bakery Into An Iconic Ice Cream Stop
Walking into Dietsch Brothers at 400 W Main Cross St, Findlay, OH 45840, feels like stepping back into a time when family businesses ran on handshake promises and recipes passed down through generations.
What began as a family-run candy and ice cream shop that later grew out of a modest local bakery purchased by determined brothers has bloomed into one of Ohio’s most beloved chocolate and ice cream destinations.
The story of how these siblings transformed their small-town shop into a regional icon is equal parts determination, quality craftsmanship, and smart business decisions. Each brother brought something different to the table, creating a partnership that would outlast trends and economic shifts.
Their journey from bakers to confectioners to ice cream masters shows what happens when tradition meets innovation. So let me walk you through how four brothers built something truly special in the heart of northwest Ohio.
From Humble Bakery Beginnings to Sweet Success
The Dietsch brothers didn’t start out dreaming of shipping their chocolates and ice cream across the region. Their story in Findlay began in the late 1920s, when Edward Dietsch purchased the C.W.
Wickham Candy Co. and, with help from his younger brothers, opened a small candy and ice cream store built on family recipes. After Edward and his wife Doris passed away and that first shop closed, the family’s second chapter arrived a few years later.
In 1937, brothers Chris (Bud) and Don (Johnny) purchased a neighborhood bakery in Findlay and, soon joined by their youngest brother Roy (Snitz), began rebuilding the business around sweets instead of loaves.
They worked side by side in a compact space, learning the practical side of running a food operation together one long day at a time.
Each brother naturally gravitated toward different responsibilities based on his strengths, from managing money and production to taking care of customers and keeping the operation running smoothly behind the scenes.
That informal division of labor became their quiet advantage as the business grew, because everyone knew exactly where he was needed. Those early mornings and late nights didn’t just turn out products, they built a partnership strong enough to carry the company through decades of change.
The work ethic they honed in those years translated perfectly into crafting fine chocolates and churning ice cream by hand using Edward’s original family recipes.
The Chocolate Pivot That Changed Everything
Somewhere along the way, the brothers noticed customers asking for special occasion treats beyond birthday cakes. Weddings, anniversaries, and holidays demanded something more elegant.
That observation sparked their move into chocolate making, a decision that would define their legacy.
Learning to temper chocolate properly took months of failed batches and burnt pans. The brothers studied techniques from European chocolatiers and adapted them to American tastes.
They invested in copper kettles and marble slabs, tools that seemed extravagant for a small bakery.
Their first signature creation, those now-famous pecan turtles, came from experimenting with local ingredients. They wanted something that balanced sweetness with texture, luxury with approachability.
The combination of buttery caramel, crunchy pecans, and smooth chocolate hit exactly right.
Word spread fast in a town the size of Findlay. Soon, people were driving from Toledo and Lima specifically for Dietsch chocolates.
The brothers had stumbled onto something bigger than bread.
Adding Ice Cream to the Family Recipe
The ice cream side of the business came later, born from the same philosophy that guided their chocolate work. If you’re going to make something, make it better than anyone else.
They started with a small batch freezer and a handful of classic flavors, testing recipes until each one met their standards.
What sets Dietsch ice cream apart is the richness. Customers constantly mention that creamy, homemade taste in reviews, the kind you can’t get from commercial brands.
The brothers achieved this by using higher butterfat content and real ingredients instead of artificial flavoring.
Dark chocolate cherry chunk became an instant favorite, pairing house-made chocolate with real fruit. Butter pecan showcased their candy-making skills, with actual caramelized nuts mixed throughout.
Every flavor told a story about their commitment to quality.
Adding ice cream transformed the business model completely. Chocolates were seasonal, peaking around holidays.
Ice cream brought summer crowds and year-round traffic. The combination created stability that a single product line never could.
Building the Main Store on West Main Cross
The current location at 400 W Main Cross St represents the culmination of years of growth and planning. The brothers knew they needed more space to handle increasing demand, but they also wanted to create an experience, not just a bigger shop.
Walking into the main store today, you immediately notice how thoughtfully it’s designed. Half the space showcases gourmet chocolates in elegant displays, while the other half houses the ice cream counter and gift shop.
The layout encourages browsing without feeling crowded, even during peak hours.
Reviews consistently praise how well-organized and well-staffed the location is. Multiple attendants help customers simultaneously, which explains why service stays fast despite the crowds.
That efficiency comes from decades of refining their operation.
The rustic small-town aesthetic mentioned in customer feedback wasn’t accidental. The brothers wanted to preserve that hometown feel even as they expanded.
Modern touches like custom gift wrapping services blend seamlessly with old-fashioned hospitality and attention to detail.
The Famous Chocolate Covered Pretzels and Confections
Among all their creations, chocolate covered pretzels hold a special place in the Dietsch legacy. Customers mention them constantly in reviews, often ordering them shipped to family members across the country.
The simple combination of salty pretzel and sweet chocolate becomes something extraordinary in their hands.
What makes these pretzels special is the chocolate quality and the pretzel itself. Many shops use thin, fragile pretzels that break easily.
Dietsch uses thick, crunchy pretzels that stand up to the chocolate coating without getting soggy. The salt-to-sweet ratio hits that perfect balance people crave.
Beyond pretzels, their confection selection spans everything from traditional truffles to seasonal specialties. The sugar-free options get positive mentions too, showing the brothers adapted to changing dietary needs without compromising on taste.
Gift wrapping services add another dimension to the chocolate business. Customers appreciate being able to buy beautiful, ready-to-give boxes.
This attention to presentation turns chocolate purchases into memorable gifts that represent Findlay itself.
Signature Sundaes and Creative Combinations
The sundae menu at Dietsch Brothers shows how the ice cream and chocolate sides of the business work together beautifully. Creations like the Caramel Cashew sundae combine their house-made ice cream with confections they craft in-house.
Everything connects back to their core skills.
Customer reviews rave about the Tin Roof Sundae made with moose tracks ice cream. The combination sounds simple, but execution matters.
Getting the right proportions of ice cream, toppings, and sauce requires understanding how flavors build on each other.
Real strawberry topping gets specific mentions in reviews because it’s increasingly rare. Many ice cream shops use artificial strawberry sauce loaded with corn syrup.
Dietsch uses actual fruit, continuing their tradition of quality ingredients over shortcuts.
Milkshakes and malts round out the frozen treat menu, with thickness and flavor that justify the drive from Columbus or Toledo. When customers say they travel 90 miles for your products, you know you’re doing something right with those classic recipes.
Small Town Service with Big Time Standards
Reading through nearly 2,000 reviews with a 4.8-star rating reveals something important about how the brothers run their operation. Consistency matters more than flash.
Customers return because they know exactly what they’re getting every single visit.
The staff training shows in review after review. People mention friendly workers, impeccable service, and feeling appreciated.
Creating that culture doesn’t happen by accident. It requires hiring well and teaching employees to care about quality the same way the founders did.
Speed of service gets constant praise too. Despite offering custom orders, gift wrapping, and made-to-order sundaes, customers report getting in and out quickly.
That efficiency comes from smart systems and enough staff to handle volume without making people feel rushed.
The brothers understood early that treating customers well creates loyalty that advertising can’t buy. In a small town like Findlay, reputation spreads through word of mouth.
Maintaining high standards for decades built the kind of trust that brings families back generation after generation.
Building a Legacy That Lasts
What the Dietsch brothers created goes beyond ice cream and chocolate. They built a business model that survived economic downturns, changing tastes, and increased competition from chains.
Their secret was staying true to core values while adapting smart additions like the gift shop and thoughtfully set hours.
At the Main Cross Street store, they now operate Tuesday through Sunday and close on Mondays, while the east-side Tiffin Avenue location opens on Mondays, closes on Tuesdays, and keeps evening hours most days. That staggered schedule shows they learned to balance customer access with sustainability.
Small decisions like this add up to longevity.
The second location on Tiffin Avenue extends their reach without diluting the brand. Both shops maintain the same standards, proving their systems work beyond a single location.
This careful expansion demonstrates business savvy that matches their confectionery skills.
Today, Dietsch Brothers stands as proof that family businesses can thrive by focusing on what they do best.
The brothers took their family’s candy and ice cream recipes, turned a small local bakery purchase into a dedicated chocolate and ice cream shop, and created something Findlay proudly claims as its own.
Their story continues every time someone bites into a pecan turtle or enjoys a scoop of dark chocolate cherry chunk.