Sean C. Morgan
Henry and Mollie Wolthuis held a “humble grand opening” Saturday morning, Nov. 3, for their new Fire Haus Ice Cream Shop.
The business brings Henry Wolthuis, a retired dentist who operated his office for 45 years in Sweet Home, back to his roots in the dairy industry.
The business, located at 1030 Long St., across from the Fire Hall, is an unusual pairing of business ideas: laundry and ice cream. The Wolthuis family removed five machines but kept open the laundromat that had been in the building, while the Fair Share Gleaners rent the back part of the building.
Fire Haus opened with eight Umpqua Dairy flavors: Chocolate Brownie Thunder, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cookies ‘n’ Cream, Cotton Candy, Pralines and Cream, Strawberry, Vanilla and Rocky Road.
Prior to a quiet opening Saturday, Mollie and Henry were at the shop Wednesday, Oct. 31, for Downtown Trick or Treat serving up ice cream with staff members to the children. Henry played accordion during the event. Henry figured they served 400 to 500 children.
While owning a laundromat was not foremost in his mind, Henry felt there might be some other potential in the building, Henry said. After purchasing the building in July, Henry and Mollie “had numerous comments that Sweet Home needs the laundromat, and we needed to preserve it.”
They realized that customers had their favorite machines, and the ones at one end were infrequently used, Henry said. With that in mind, they selected the machines they needed to remove so they could build the ice cream shop.
“A lot of this has just kind of evolved,” Henry said.
“Up here,” Mollie said, pointing at Henry’s head.
The reaction to the shop has been “very positive,” Henry said. “Everybody’s said, ‘Wow, I didn’t know this was here. We’re coming back.'”
For Henry, serving up the ice cream takes him back to his roots. He grew up on a dairy farm, working in his family’s processing plant, where ice cream was made, and delivering milk. During college, he worked part-time at the Brigham Young University dairy.
This history is still in his genes, Henry said. With his Dutch heritage and an admiration of Bavaria, “we have endeavored to put a little Bavarian atmosphere into the ice cream parlor.”
That shows up in the exterior décor and the name, Henry said. The word “Haus” is the German-Dutch spelling of “house.”
“We just borrowed our new name from the fire station neighbors across the street,” Henry said. “This has been a little challenging to substitute ice cream for beer, which Bavaria is really known for; but we will try to make ice cream just as fun.”
The ice cream shop is open from noon to 7 p.m. The laundry is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those times may be adjusted.
He said he will probably have to hire some additional help, giving his grandchildren and high school students an opportunity.
Liz Young, who worked for previous owner, Lee Fields, is working at the laundromat and the ice cream shop. Her daughter, Beth Young, also is working at the businesses.
Henry said Young’s husband, Steve Young, a retired Sweet Home police commander and lover of woodworking, was instrumental in helping open the Fire Haus.
He is “a special friend that’s been here to hold boards and help me think things through,” Henry said.
Previous owner Lee Fields has been helpful since selling them the building, helping Henry repair a couple of machines, Henry said.
The building itself has a long and varied history, Henry said. “Some of the photos still on the walls remind one of friendships, hobbies, old cars and logging events spanning many years.”
The building had several uses, he said. Among them, Walt and Wanda Mulholland operated the Western Auto Store.
“Walt was always good for some conversation out of one corner of his mouth while he often chewed on an unlit cigar on the other side,” Henry said. “He was always willing and wanting to help.”
Subsequently, it was a floor covering store, and then Linn County Deputy Bruce Davis operated a bicycle store. Afterward, Lee and Karen Fields operated the laundromat after moving from the Safeway plaza.
“Lee was a friend to all, a good listener for those needing to talk and a competitive cribbage player for those who just needed to pass some time,” Henry said. “This was a natural fit for Lee, who previously had run an appliance store in what is now the SHEM building across the street.”