Braselton Appeals to Mayfield Dairy to Reconsider Closing its Visitors Center

Following reports of Mayfield Dairy’s intention to close its Visitors Center and Ice Cream Parlor in Braselton last week, town hall issued a plea to residents and ice cream lovers in the area to reach out to Mayfield directly and ask them to reconsider the closure.

In a statement from Town Manager and Clerk Jennifer Dees, it was estimated that — subsequent to the Braselton Visitors Center opening in 1997 —  1.3 million visitors sidled up to the Mayfield ice cream counter per year during the first 10 years of operation. Even though the numbers have declined since 2007 right along with the nation’s economy, it is believed that the local Mayfield operation still represents a draw of about 400,000 people to the area per year.

“The Town of Braselton is saddened and shocked by the news the Mayfield Dairy Visitors Center and Ice Cream Shop is scheduled to be closed,” Dees stated. “Their presence in Braselton has become part of our identity and we have always embraced the visitors, young and old, who made Mayfield and Braselton a stop on their travels. We are going to do our best to keep it open if it is at all possible.”

The Visitors Center in Braselton offers guests a short educational film and regular tours of the facility, a gift shop, ice cream counter, generously sized rocking chair front porch, beautifully landscaped grounds, friendly staff and a “landmark” Jersey Cow replica. A simple, hand-written sign on the front door confirms the sad news that the Visitor’s Center and Gift Shop will close Oct. 31, 2011. There is only one other Mayfield Dairy Visitors Center and Ice Cream Shop in the nation, housed at the company’s base of operations in Athens, Tenn.

“Those visitors are important not only to Braselton but to the entire State of Georgia,” Dees said. “School children come from all across the state to see the educational tours and eat some darn good ice cream. It’s an industry that is clean and family friendly, and we are thrilled to have it in Braselton.  We are gladdened the plant is remaining open, but we want the tourist portion to stay open, as well.”

If you wish to see the Mayfield Dairy Visitors Center and Ice Cream Parlor remain open, the town of Braselton is asking that you support efforts to sway the company’s closure of the facility by calling 1-800-MAYFIELD and asking the company to reconsider.

Established in 1910 with the purchase of 45 Jersey cows by T.B. Mayfield Jr., Mayfield Dairy has grown over the past century to become one of the nation’s favorite dairy brands, supplying milk, buttermilk, sour cream, cottage cheese, ice cream, novelties and frozen yogurt to customers in eight southeastern states. The Mayfield Dairy brand is now owned by Dean Foods.

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