Nothing says summertime like a trip to Schell’s for some minigolf and ice cream at the Dairy Swirl. Schell’s has been a landmark on 5th Street Highway in Muhlenberg Township since 1952. Initially opened as just an ice cream shop by the Schell family, the 18 hole mini-golf course opened in May of 1953, and was expanded to 27 holes in 1969. A May 29th, 1953 Reading Eagle ad advertised a grand-opening game of mini-golf as costing 35 cents.

Many generations of Berks Countians have enjoyed summer evenings at this establishment, as they just celebrated their 65th Anniversary in business back in May 2017. A few favorites are the BBQ sandwhiches and cho-chos. What are some of your fondest memories of this timeless Berks County landmark?

An image of the elusive original Schell’s on Penn Avenue in Wyomissing Hills has finally surfaced. It sat roughly here and was torn down when the bypass was constructed in the early 1970s. The company moved further down Penn Ave into West Lawn and became the Ranch House.

At the time the Schell’s family franchise was apparently expanding, as the top image shows the construction of yet another location on Lancaster Avenue in Kenhorst. They also expanded restaurant operations in Exeter Township on Perkiomen Avenue and North 11th Street in Reading.