Markdale Ontario Visited
by Gary McWilliams (aka Festival Nomad)
If you are taking a drive through Grey County, it’s likely that you will visit the community of Markdale.
Markdale is a small community with an “important” industry.
Yes it has a long history, it was incorporated in 1888.
Yes, Markdale does cater to the farming community.
But that is not what I am referring to!
It’s the home of Chapman’s Ice Cream!
If you haven’t heard of Chapman’s Ice Cream, you either aren’t a “kid” or you are from “outer space“!
Chapman’s is an “iconic” member of the Markdale community.
After all, it’s been in the community since 1973.
However, the “fairy tale” of Chapman’s and Markdale almost ended on September 4th 2009!
A horrible fire broke out in the plant (see story at https://www.chapmans.ca/AboutUs/OurStory). It almost ruin everything!
But the Chapman family decided to rebuild, and rebuild they did!
It is a remarkable story of grit and commitment, both by the Chapman family and the Markdale community. Today Chapman’s Ice Cream is the largest independent ice cream company in Canada.
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