North Shore Ice Cream Stand Shutters For Good After 7+ Decades

SALEM, MA — A North Shore ice cream staple that proclaimed it helped area residents "Taste the Magic of Summer" for more than seven decades will not reopen this upcoming season.

Owners of Dairy Witch on Boston Street in Salem said the stand will remain closed this season for the first time in 74 years.

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"There will not be another season," the owners posted on social media. "The open sign going up has always meant something around here. It meant summer was close. It meant the long lines on hot July nights were about to start.

"You stood in them on first dates and after Little League games, on visits home from school and after hard weeks at work. You brought your kids, and eventually your grandkids.

"You are why this place lasted 74 years."

Owners said the message posted on Monday was because "we wanted Salem to hear it from us before anyone else." They said more information on the closing will be forthcoming.

Bea and Pete Polemenko opened the windows at the 117 Boston Street location in 1952, the year their daughter, Marietta, was born.

"Marietta has stood by that window her entire life, but will be retiring this year."

Owners said "a piece of Dairy Witch lives on" through shopping the shop collection on its website.