Five generations of frozen treats: Hoffman’s Home Made Ice Cream marks 75 years in Westminster

As the dog days of summer bear down on Carroll County, a familiar afternoon bustle can be seen along Washington Road in Westminster, as families share ice cream and shakes outside of Hoffman’s Home Made Ice Cream & Deli. For three-quarters of a century, Hoffman’s has been making and serving ice cream to generations of customers.

Jen Middleton, a co-owner of the store, whose great-grandfather Jesse Hoffman founded the ice cream shop in 1947, has been working at Hoffman’s since she was 15 years old. Today, as she watches her own son Logan, 16, work the machines and make the store’s famous ice cream, she appreciates the value her family placed on hard work.

“It makes you feel really good that you are carrying on your grandfather’s mission,” she said.

Middleton’s grandfather, Bob Hoffman, who drove the Hoffman’s ice cream truck after his parents opened the shop in 1947, still comes in every morning for coffee and stops by in the evenings to chat with his daughter, Linda Crabbs, Jen’s mother, who also runs the shop.

Middleton appreciates that her grandfather is around to answer questions, as she grows and maintains the small business. He’s always happy to run out to pick something up or help out there, even though he’s long since retired.

“Anytime we don’t see him around, everybody will ask ‘where’s Bob?’” Middleton said.

Hoffman’s will mark its 75th anniversary Monday with souvenir mugs and an ice cream special. Middleton said she hopes the shop can celebrate the 75th anniversary all month long.