Popular Ice Cream Stand Expands Next Door

Staunton News Leader - July 26, 2002

Story By Jennifer Sacharonski

Since 1943 Kline's Dairy Bar has been a tradition in the Shenandoah Valley, and Kim Arehart, owner of Kline's Dairy Bar and Hog Wild Company, hopes to add a little extra flavor to the time-honored ice cream stand.

Kline's in Staunton opened in April of 1997 making custard style ice cream fresh each morning using the same antique 1930s ice cream machines which propelled the original Kline's in Harrisonburg, started by John and Bess Kline in 1943, to local fame. Arehart's brother, Mike Arehart now owns the Harrisonburg store and Kim Arehart said she has learned the business from both her brother and Bess Kline.

The addition of The Hog Wild Company came naturally to support and compliment Kline's Dairy Bar at it's new, larger facility in "The Pavilion" on Greenville Ave. Arehart said she and her contractor Ken Stephens spent many hours on the details of the building, which now includes a patio, or "pavilion", garage doors to shield against inclement weather and a heating system that allows the dairy to be open year round.

"The pavilion is very unique," Arehart said, "It creates a community gathering place, festive and beachlike. It's fun."

Arehart said she wanted to give the city of Staunton an original BBQ shop. The Hog Wild Company features hand pulled pork BBQ sandwiches and smoked hickory beef BBQ sandwiches with or without homemade coleslaw. Other staples such as french fries, onion rings, potato salad, and baked beans are also available to compliment any meal.

Kline's Dairy Bar will also continue to produce fresh ice cream each morning. An ice cream lover can sample specials each week or stick to their favorite cones, milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits, hot fudge cake, or strawberry shortcake.

"We have been making our ice cream the same for the last 59 years," Arehart said. "There are very few true custard stands left. Most ice cream these days is either soft serve or batch freezer produced, but we believe in the tradition."

Kline's Dairy Bar and Hog Wild Company is located at 906 Greenville Ave. Kline's Dairy Bar is open daily through the summer from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Hog Wild is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.