Published: November 09, 2009 10:26 pm      

Baird Ice Cream Co. closes in Clarksville

Century-old business ceased operation early this month

CLARKSVILLE — Baird Ice Cream Co., maker of ice cream and soft serve mixes, closed earlier this month.

The family-owned-and-operated business has been in Clarksville since 1903. Owner Randall Baird said that the business went through four generations of his family, all in the same location, in a small building along North Randolph Avenue.

“We’ve been talking about this for three years,” he said, noting that demand has decreased as his small business clientele had diminished over the years.

“It’s hard for small business to compete nowadays,” he said. “It’s our time to bow out.”

He said Baird Ice Cream primarily sold its products to small retailers.

The business had only three employees, although Baird noted that one of them had been there for more than 30 years. All are being laid off at this point. And the coolers, pasteurizers and other related equipment housed in the building have been sold.

Baird took over the business in 1960. He said the building will continue to be used by the Baird family as a headquarters for its real estate business.

“It was a hard decision to close it down.”