Superior Dairy in Hanford temporarily closes its doors for renovations

Superior Dairy, a beloved ice cream haven in the Central Valley since 1929, is getting a makeover.

The popular ice cream shop, which has been in Hanford for nearly 100 years, temporarily closed its doors on April 13 for major renovations. The shop has been under new ownership for a little over a year.

The Zonneveld family, a dairy family with deep roots in Kings County, purchased the local landmark in March 2025.

The 95-year-old family-owned business was put up for sale in October 2024. It was listed at $2.5 million.

The remodeling of the building, which is adjacent to Hanford City Hall, will bring back indoor dining while preserving the heritage and quality of the ice cream, which is made on-site.

“When we reopen, those ‘please do not sit’ signs are gone for good. Dine-in is coming,” said the ice cream shop on social media.

The dining room had been closed since the COVID-19 pandemic and only took take-away orders.

In an update earlier this year, Superior Dairy said on social media that it has been working hard to bring back dine-in services while being “committed to restoring the nostalgia of Superior Dairy” and promised the wait will be worth it.

“We’re county down the days until we can fill up those PINK seats again and scoop up some happiness for you,” said the ice cream shop on social media.

Loyal customers packed the establishment on April 12—its final day of operation before the remodel—seizing the opportunity to step inside the building one last time, enjoy their favorite massive servings of ice cream, photograph the famous, nostalgic booths and pink stools, or take home copies of old Superior Dairy menus as keepsakes, before renovations began on April 13.

Nancy Rocha, of Laton, has been a frequent visitor to the local establishment for 50 years.

“We come here often,” Rocha said.

She saw on social media it was closing for remodeling and told her husband and her son to drive into Hanford to get some of their favorite treats, some milk shakes and a junior scoop of strawberry freeze for her.

“Let’s go get milk shakes today before they close,” she said as she waited in the long line.

Rocha is looking forward to the remodeling, to “come in and sit down and eat a sundae or something.”

For the Superior Dairy sandwich fans, the shop will bring back their “beloved sandwiches” for dining in the renovated space.

It is unclear how long renovations would last, but people can also expect some menu changes during the renovation period at its temporary trailer which is pausing its food menu.

Superior Dairy has set up its new pink ice cream trailer — same hours and serving ice cream only — at the Hanford Civic Park right across the street from the original location for customers to grab their favorite treats while the building gets remodeled.

The pink trailer is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily serving milkshakes, sundaes, banana splits, cartons to-go and merch.

This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 12:21 PM.

María G. Ortiz-Briones

The Fresno Bee

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María G. Ortiz-Briones is a reporter and photographer for McClatchy’s Vida en el Valle publication and the Fresno Bee. She covers issues that impact the Latino community in the Central Valley. She is a regular contributor to La Abeja, The Bee’s free weekly newsletter on Latino issues. | María G. Ortiz-Briones es reportera y fotógrafa de la publicación Vida en el Valle de McClatchy y el Fresno Bee. Ella cubre temas que impactan a la comunidad latina en el Valle Central. Es colaboradora habitual de La Abeja, el boletín semanal gratuito de The Bee sobre temas latinos. Support my work with a digital subscription