The Davis Brothers
In 1984, brothers Tom, Rick, Gary and Jim Davis recognized the need for value-priced high-quality ice cream to fill the gap between supermarket and expensive premium ice cream options.
The brothers tasted and tested many formulas before selecting a recipe with the perfect proportion, 14% butterfat and 85% overrun. This recipe delivered the nostalgic taste and “old-fashioned” creaminess of the ice cream they grew up on in Detroit that was handcrafted with pride by family-owned parlors using only the best ingredients. It was then that the brothers knew they were on to something good!
Why Ashby's Sterling?
The Davis brothers wanted to name their company something that shouted “quality” and also pay homage to their Welsh heritage.
One summer day in 1984, Tom was crossing Washington Blvd. in downtown Detroit when he was almost hit by a trolley! As he jumped back to safety, he read the name on the side of the car… Ashby & Whorten. “Ashby” was a classic Welsh surname and it rang as loud as the trolley’s warning bell in his mind. He liked it!
Now, what would make it shout quality? Webster’s Dictionary took care of that part. Sterling is “the measure of purity and quality.” Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream was born.
We All Scream for Ice Cream!
With a company name selected and the formula in place for their ice cream mix, the brothers set off to create delicious, creamy premium ice cream flavors that looked as good as they tasted and delivered “good stuff” in each scoop.
With great care to incorporate the finest ingredients—and lots of them—they began crafting their now-famous original eight flavors including French Vanilla, Chocolate, Butter Pecan, German Chocolate Cake, Strawberry, Mint Cookie, Praline-N-Pecan, and Chocolate Chips ‘N Chunks.
Ashby's Sterling Means Quality
Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream has won numerous awards for its taste and unique flavors, including a prestigious perfect score for Vanilla and multiple “Best New Flavor” awards from the National Ice Cream Retailers Association (NICRA).
In addition, over fourteen of our flavors, including favorites like Chocolate, Strawberry, Amaretto Cherry and Nana’s Banana Puddin’, have received “Blue Ribbons” from the National Ice Cream Retailers Association, the World Dairy Expo, Industry Dairy Judges and the Los Angeles County Fair.
Ashby's Sterling Today & Beyond
Since 1984, Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream has grown from a small company offering eight specialty flavors to an industry favorite that supplies over 1,000 ice cream parlors, restaurants and retailers with over 70 unique ice cream, sherbet, and yogurt flavors that serve millions of satisfied customers every year!
Through it all, our mission never falters. “To make ice cream that our employees and customers are proud to sell. To make ice cream that consumers enjoy and appreciate above others. To make and sell ice cream with integrity, values, and respect for all involved.”