COCHRANE - At the heart of Cochrane’s historic downtown, and widely renowned for their delicious frozen treats, MacKay’s Ice Cream is gearing up to celebrate its 75th anniversary on July 30.
Third-generation MacKay and current owner of MacKay’s Ice Cream, Meghan Tayfel, said the popular ice cream parlour has plans to host a celebration that won’t be small, but will be an intimate sidewalk celebration.
She said the milestone celebration will tie in elements from MacKay’s early days as a Cochrane-based business, which first set up shop along Main Street in 1948.
“We’re going to have one of our original signature flavours, which is Buttery Buttle Brickle,” Tayfel said. “So, we’re going to have that available, and [we’re] going to be giving away some little samples of that.”
“It’s a butterscotch ice cream with a butterscotch ripple, and toffee pieces,” Tayfel explained. “And we’ve decided to use McIntosh toffee, all broken up as our toffee pieces to kind of give it that extra flavour base.”
Tayfel added that neighbouring businesses in Cochrane’s Historic Downtown are also invited to take part in the celebration however they choose.
“We want to make it not only a celebration of the Cochrane community, but also our 75th [anniversary], and as well celebrating small business in general,” she said.
With family ties deep in the roots of Cochrane, Tayfel said the anniversary is significant to her as both a generational business owner and as a member of the MacKay family.
“We’re third-generation owners of MacKay’s, but or family dates back six generations in the Cochrane Valley,” she said. “We’re not just MacKay’s Ice Cream – We’re MacKay’s ‘Cochrane’ Ice Cream.”
With continued backing from members of the community and a steady stream of clientele who come from far and wide to check out the famous ice cream parlour, Tayfel said MacKay’s is very appreciative of all the support they have received throughout the years.
“This community has supported us, and in turn, we’ve supported the community. And we’re just really proud of being Cochranites, and what we’ve done,” she said.
With plans for the celebration already in place, Tayfel said she looks forward to the event later this summer.
“We hope that it is a beautiful sunny day, and people come out and enjoy not only our celebration, but also the milestones with some of the other business in town this year,” she said. “Just to celebrate the businesses in our community that have made Cochrane what it is.”
Tayfel said anyone who is interested in participating in the upcoming festivities is more than welcome to do so, and believes this is the best chance to learn about downtown Cochrane and the local businesses in the area
“Come down and explore your own town,” Tayfel said.
