About Kirke's
Homemade ice cream, family history, and Ohio Valley roots.
OUR STORY
Our Homemade Ice Cream Story
Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream was established in 1992 in St. Clairsville, Ohio, by Kirke Porterfield. But our story actually began much earlier.
The history dates back to 1926, when Kirke’s grandfather, Herb Walker, started the family ice cream tradition. He made homemade ice cream from his parents’ boarding house on U.S. Route 250 in Colerain, Ohio, where they served both food and ice cream to the local community.
As Herb got older, his son Gene carried on the tradition while working on the family farm. Over the years, Kirke developed his own passion for making homemade ice cream and officially opened Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream on August 26, 1992, in St. Clairsville, Ohio.
Since then, we’ve continued making our ice cream fresh on-site with over 80 homemade flavors available throughout the year. What started as a single local ice cream shop has grown into retail locations, mobile ice cream units serving community events, and wholesale partnerships throughout the Ohio Valley and beyond.
More than 30 years later, we’re still committed to the same values that started it all—great homemade ice cream, quality ingredients, and creating a place where families and friends can come together over a scoop.
Wholesale Partnerships
Interested in serving Kirke’s Homemade Ice Cream at your restaurant, retail store, coffee shop, or event location?
We offer wholesale options including 8 oz novelties, 3-gallon tubs for hand scooping, and half-gallons for resale.
Homemade Ice Cream With a Bigger Vision
To grow Kirke’s into a trusted regional ice cream brand while staying true to the homemade quality, local roots, and community feel that made it special.
To make delicious homemade ice cream that brings people together, creates smiles, and gives customers a reason to come back again and again.