ORANGEVALE — A longtime Orangevale gathering spot known for serving burgers, ice cream and generations of local families has earned recognition from Assemblyman Josh Hoover as the 7th Assembly District’s Small Business of the Month for September.
Hoover, R-Folsom, announced Orangevale Dairy Queen as this month’s honoree, recognizing owners Joe and Cynthia Ellering and the restaurant’s more than four decades of service to the community.
The business traces its Orangevale roots to 1982, when Joe Ellering came to the Greenback Lane location while it was operating as a Foster’s Freeze. Ellering later purchased the business, beginning what would become a decades-long commitment to the community. The restaurant officially became Dairy Queen in 1988, with Ellering focusing his efforts on the Orangevale location.
In 2015, Ellering drew on his background as a general contractor to oversee a major remodel of the original building. While the restaurant was modernized, its familiar walk-up windows and outdoor seating were preserved, maintaining the small-town atmosphere that longtime customers had come to know.
Joe and Cynthia Ellering have also operated the restaurant as a family-run business and provided employment opportunities for young people, including many entering the workforce for the first time. The Ellerings emphasize responsibility, accountability, trust and treating others with respect as part of the workplace experience.
Community involvement has remained a significant part of the business. Through its Round Up campaign, Orangevale Dairy Queen contributes more than $12,000 annually to local nonprofits, the Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank, youth sports programs and other charitable organizations. The restaurant also supports Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, area schools, sports teams, families and community events.
Over the years, the Greenback Lane restaurant has become a familiar gathering place for birthdays, school achievements, team celebrations, fundraisers and other community occasions.
“Orangevale Dairy Queen is a wonderful example of what makes small businesses so special,” Hoover said. “For more than four decades, Joe and Cynthia Ellering have not only built a successful business, but have created a place where young people can get their start, families can make memories, and the entire community can find a friend. I am proud to recognize Orangevale Dairy Queen as the 7th Assembly District’s Small Business of the Month and grateful for the Ellerings’ longstanding commitment to Orangevale.”
Hoover congratulated the Ellerings and the Orangevale Dairy Queen team for their more than four decades of service to the community. Orangevale Dairy Queen is located at 9295 Greenback Lane in Orangevale.
Hoover represents California’s 7th Assembly District, which includes Citrus Heights, Folsom and Rancho Cordova, along with the unincorporated communities of Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Foothill Farms, Gold River, Mather, McClellan Park, North Highlands, Orangevale and Rosemont.
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