This Beloved New Hampshire Restaurant and Ice Cream Spot Will Close After 45 Years

It's the end of an era for a longstanding seasonal restaurant in the Granite State.

The Ice House in Rye, New Hampshire, announced on Facebook that after 45 years, the staple location will be closing.

The silver lining to the sad reveal is that there is still some time to get your favorite ice cream, fried whole belly clams, or hamburger (at least) one more time, as they don't expect to be done until mid-October.

The Ice House in Rye, New Hampshire, Is Closing for Good

The Ice House in Rye said in a Facebook post on September 11 that "After serving up ice cream, laughter and memories for nearly half a century, we’ve made the bittersweet decision to hang up our aprons and sell The Ice House."

According to its website, the popular spot opened during the summer of 1980 and has been a family-run establishment for its 40+ years of operation.

The restaurant owners said working at the Ice House has been one of their greatest joys and are grateful for their experience and the people who came to enjoy food and ice cream.

They noted, "It has been a gathering place where families came together, friends caught up, and life’s happiest moments were celebrated over a hot fudge sundae or some onion rings.
We’ve watched generations grow, shared in your milestones and built friendships that will last a lifetime."

People React to The Ice House in Rye, New Hampshire, Closing

Not surprisingly, there were hundreds of comments and reactions to the news, including many thanking them for the good memories and food while also wishing them well on their next chapter.

Here are a few of the heartfelt comments on the Facebook post announcing the closure:

"Over the years you have become part of the fabric of our lives. Our family is grateful for so many wonderful Ice House memories - birthdays, summers, home comings, backward dinners (dessert first!) and Vanilla Gooey Cake Sundaes. Thank you and best wishes on your next chapters."

"Thank you for so many wonderful summer memories and delicious food. Even more thankful that you always made everyone feel like visiting old friends or family. Wishing you all health and happiness as you start new adventures!"

"You will be missed! A family favorite for decades! Best wishes to you all!"

You can just tell the impact this restaurant had on the people who got to visit either just a few times or year after year.

READ MORE: This New Hampshire Restaurant Was Named a Must-Visit Bucket-List Spot

Saying goodbye to a place like The Ice House isn’t easy, but it is nice knowing that you'll always have the memories. So make sure you stop in before things wrap up in mid-October to grab a bite or a scoop and take it all in before the doors close for good.

So long, Ice House, and good luck with the next chapter!