Iconic Maine Ice Cream Stand & Fast Food Restaurant Won’t Open in 2025

One of the simple joys of growing up in Maine was a summer evening visit to your favorite ice cream stand.

Growing up in the small Aroostook County town of Houlton, we had a few, great, locally-owned ice cream stands.  We were fortunate to have the Houlton Farms Dairy ice cream stand and Drake's.  Both of which were located on Military Street and both were slammed on a warm summer night.

Dutch Treat in Wilton, Maine

Since 1963, Dutch Treat has been welcoming families from across Central Maine.  They come for a quick meal, they come for an ice cream treat, and they come to swing on the swing set.

The popular eatery has even been known to host cruise-in nights for car enthusiasts.

Unfortunately, it does not look like those events will be happening this year.

According to an article on the KJ website, Dutch Treat, an ice cream stand and fast food restaurant in Wilton, will not open in 2025.

The article explains that Alison Welch, who has been running the business for her mother for the better part of two decades, announced that they would not be opening in 2025 on Tuesday.

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Welch explained that there were several reasons for no opening this season.  These include the rising cost of food, the increase in other expenses, an increase in the state's minimum wage, and the difficulty of keeping part-time employees.

Adding to the business's staffing woes, Alison Welch also has a full-time job at the Mount Blue Regional School District in nearby Farmington.

The family has not made a decision about whether or not they will open in 2026.