By Mike May ([email protected])
A cut above the rest and in a category unto itself. That may be the best way to accurately describe the experience of visiting and enjoying what’s on the menu at Kovener’s Korner, an ice cream shop in Seymour, Indiana.
For more than 70 years, residents of Seymour and visitors passing through this south, central Indiana community — which is also the hometown of rock star John Mellencamp — have enjoyed stopping by Kovener’s Korner to satisfy any and all summer-time ice cream cravings.
While homes, churches, restaurants, and factories are frequently designated as historic places of interest, rarely are small, square-shaped, red-brick structures with a green roof and yellow-striped awning, which serve ice cream for only five months a year, given the same historic recognition and special status. But, that’s the case for Kovener’s Korner (www.kovenerskorner.com; 812-522-9259), a locally owned and operated ice cream shop in the south, central section of the Hoosier state.
Kovener’s Korner was founded in 1949 by its original owners, Bill and Lena Faye Kovener. Bill and Lena converted an old Standard Oil gas station into Kovener’s Korner. Today, it’s still operated by members of the Kovener family and the chocolate malt ice cream, made from the still-secret family recipe, remains as popular now as it was back when it all started.
Simply put, if you like ice cream, especially chocolate malt ice cream, you must make the trek to Kovener’s Korner – at least once in your lifetime. There’s no doubt that it’s a ‘bucket list’-destination for ice cream aficionados and anybody with a sweet tooth. Why? Because the people who visit Kovener’s Korner always make it a point of returning time and time again, especially the local clientele.
“Kovener’s Korner was a very special place in my childhood,” recalls former Seymour resident Trish Whitcomb, whose father, Ed Whitcomb, was Indiana’s 43rd governor. “My visits to Kovener’s Korner started with Jill Steinberger (Wood) and her parents when I would spend the night at their house on Lee Boulevard. I’d never seen a creamy soft-serve and that was amazing. Jill and I also liked a treat called an “iceberger.” It consisted of lime sherbet and 7-Up — sort of a limey kind of float. Kovener’s Korner also served a form of ice cream called a custard. It was extra rich and flavorful, but the newness of the soft-serve made it more attractive at the time. Even when I visited Seymour after college, I’d go there because going there would bring back such fond memories.”
“I certainly have very fond memories of Kovener’s Korner,” says former Seymour resident Kurt Wieneke, who now resides in Indianapolis. “My favorite is and was the chocolate malt soft-serve cone. Kovener’s Korner is a can’t-miss stop for all who grew up in Seymour.”
“Kovener’s Korner wasn’t just a custard shop, it was part of the community,” adds ex-Seymour resident Cathy Barkes Bowie, currently living in Indianapolis. “Visiting Kovener’s Korner is an experience and a place where friends and family gather. And, the custard was, and still is, amazing!”
The ice cream at Kovener’s Korner is served in many different ways – cups, cones, shakes, floats, icebergers, and sundaes. It’s always delicious – every way the ice cream is served.
“We offer a wide selection of regular hard-serve ice cream flavors plus a special flavor of the week each week during the summer,” says Nick Kovener, CEO/President, Kovener’s Korner. “Chocolate malt is what we are best known for, as it’s the same recipe my grandmother made when the store opened over 70 years ago. Hot fudge cones, milkshakes, and floats are a few of our best selling items. Our most popular item is the twist ice cream cone.”
Kovener’s Korner truly deserves such special distinction. Open from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm every day from April through Labor Day, Kovener’s Korner provides that ice cream fix for anybody and everybody.
“As an outdoor dining establishment serving cold treats, we try to be open as long as it’s warm out,” adds Kovener.
The menu hasn’t changed much over the years and neither has the outward appearance of the small brick hut, which has been at 712 West 2nd Street in Seymour since it first opened back in 1949. Fortunately, the prices remain reasonable and the value of the level of satisfaction continues to be priceless.
As a way of reinforcing its local ties, Kovener’s Korner buys its pure vanilla from Marion-Kay Spices in nearby Brownstown. Also, the ownership of Kovener’s Korner reinforces its commitment to the local community by providing monetary support, as well as donation items, to a variety of clubs and organizations in the greater Seymour area. Kovener’s Korner also supports a youth baseball team and a girls softball team in town.
“Whether it’s a win or a loss, we love to support organizations that provide activities for kids to have fun and be active,” adds Kovener.
In keeping with tradition, the most commonly ordered items remain milkshakes and ice cream cones. The ice cream is either soft-serve or hard-serve. The soft serve flavors are chocolate malt, vanilla, and chocolate/vanilla twist. There are eight main flavors of hard-serve. They are superman, mint chocolate chip, butter pecan, rocky road, cookies & cream, orange pineapple, strawberry, and a flavor of the week. They also carry three hard-serve sherbets — lime, orange, and rainbow – and one sorbet which is lemon. Believe it or not, but superman is the most popular hard-serve flavor by a wide margin.
Besides the standard types of hard-serve ice cream, other popular flavors on the menu, from time to time, include birthday cake, strawberry cheesecake, and chocolate fudge brownie. Not surprisingly, those flavors often sell out rather quickly.
It’s worth noting that Kovener’s Korner has 18 toppings, which include chocolate syrup, hot fudge, peanuts, butter scotch, marshmallow, strawberry, blueberry, pineapple, caramel, Reese’s Cup, Oreo, Snickers, M & M, Butterfinger, cookie dough, Gummi Bears, peanut butter, and rainbow sprinkles.
The cones are traditional ice cream cones, but waffle cones are available for a small surcharge.
At Kovener’s Korner, the list of specialty items on the menu includes hot fudge cones, floats, dreamshakes, Jack & Jill shakes, avalanches, icebergers, and sundaes.
One of the special days at Kovener’s Korner takes place on the third Tuesday of May, June, July and August. Those are Dog Days, where you are encouraged to bring your dog with you to Kovener’s Korner to enjoy a tasty treat. When you spend $4 or more, your canine companion will receive a complimentary small cup of vanilla ice cream.
If you are employed as a first responder, a member of the U.S. military or a veteran, Kovener’s Korner shows its appreciation by giving you a 50 percent discount on your purchase. It’s a way for Kovener’s Korner to show its appreciation for the dedication and years of service to the U.S. by its military men and women.
Each year on National Ice Cream Day, which is the third Sunday of July, Kovener’s Korner offers product specials, stages an ice cream eating contest, or offers raffle prizes.
While Kovener’s Korner is steeped in tradition, the current ownership has a steady presence on social media so you can follow what happens on both Facebook and Instagram.
Are you ready to enjoy an ice cream experience which is a cut above the rest and in a category unto itself? I certainly am. I look forward to seeing you soon in Seymour, Indiana at Kovener’s Korner, under the yellow-striped awning.
