Sweet Tradition
When most businesses (or people) celebrate their 60th anniversary or birthday, a lot of time is spent reflecting on how things have changed in the six decades.
But for Cone Palace, a 60th anniversary doesn’t lend itself to much nostalgia. The Kokomo institution spends less time looking back and more time reflecting on how things have stayed the same. Since opening in May 1966, the Kokomo stand has remained in the same location, continuing to operate as businesses around it have shifted with time.
Originally opened as a Dairy Castle, the restaurant has never moved. Courtney Cain, now general manager, has a long personal history with the business. She started working there in high school, left for college, and returned in 2018, eventually stepping into her current role within the past two years.
“We’re more than just ice cream and food … but it’s the experience for the customer,” Cain says. “From the way we interact with our customers to the atmosphere we create here, we just want people to feel as welcomed as possible and leave in a better mood than when they came in.”
Many employees come recommended by regulars or current team members, and while there is no formal training program, expectations are clear from the start. The atmosphere of the eatery, how customers are treated, and how the space feels matters as much as anything on the menu.
Much of the menu reflects that same consistency. Chili dogs remain the top seller, while Arctic Swirls, the stand’s version of a Blizzard, rotate through flavors like Oreo, Reese’s, cookie dough and a popular puppy chow option. Vanilla Cokes have never left.
Over the years, recognition has come without much effort to seek it out. Eric Holcomb has visited multiple times, often ordering a corn dog and a chocolate shake, and Bill Clinton has also stopped in. Most customers, though, arrive the same way they always have, through recommendation rather than promotion.
“It’s word of mouth. We hear it all the time. People tell their friends, if you’re ever here, you need to try Cone Palace,” Cain says. “Grandparents are bringing their grandkids into the place they grew up in. Just being a small part of their memories, especially at 60 years old, is really special for us.”
Keeping a business open this long depends on more than a strong menu.
“There is a lot of work behind the scenes to keep something like Cone Palace open for 60 years. It takes a lot of consistency, a lot of care, and a team that really takes pride in what they’re doing every day,” Cain says.
What has sustained the business, though, is a decades-old lesson in how to treat what keeps their business going — their customers.
“Trends are ever-changing, but people remember how you make them feel,” Cain says. “If you take care of your customers and build relationships, that’s really what keeps a business going long term.”
Cone Palace is located at 55 County Road West 300 South, Kokomo, IN 46902, and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., except on Friday and Saturday, when the eatery is open until 11 p.m.
