History
History Update
Over the last 28 years, Rich was integral in the development and success of Tastee-Freez. His love for his community, people, and ice cream allowed him to develop a deep connection with the Sand Lake area, local nonprofits, schools, and military organizations. On September 1st, 2022 Rich passed the torch of Owner and Chief Ice Cream Tester onto Linwood and Darlene Stowe. The Stowes, being raised in the Sand Lake area, have also developed their own strong connection to the Sand Lake community. Not only this but while in high school, Linwood was hired to work at Tastee-Freez by Rich! Now, Linwood plans to continue Rich’s legacy of building community throughout all of Anchorage and keep developing relationships with non-profits and community organizations.
Tastee-Freez: 50 years in the Last frontier
It was 1956. Gas was 25 cents, stamps were 3 cents, Alaska was still a United States territory, Eisenhower was president, and Alaskans were eating hot dogs and soft serve desserts at Tastee-Freez. One of the first national franchise brands to ever arrive in the “Last Frontier”, Tastee-Freez soon had 2 or 3 locations in the Territory. By the time Alaska became a state in 1959, there were probably 4 or 5 of the uniquely styled restaurants being operated in Anchorage, Wasilla, and Eagle River.
Early records at the national headquarter were destroyed in a fire years ago, so many details of franchise holder in the 50’s and 60’s are lost forever. It is known that over the years Tastee-Freez franchises were located at 15th and Gamble, Government Hill, E. Northern Lights Blvd., in the JC Penny Department Store in Anchorage, and the communities of Eagle River, Wasilla, and Glenallen. The shop in JC Penny’s was destroyed in the 1964 Good Friday earthquake. The massive 9.2 quake collapsed the 4-story downtown business.
Jewel Lake Tastee-Freez, traces it’s roots back to the Northern Lights Blvd. location. In the late 50’s, a local banker by the name of John Urban, purchased the franchise from another individual and built a traditional Tastee-Freez “walk up style” shop. Urban had purchased the business for his mother, who slept in the back of the shop and operated it when she felt like it. Lynn Cluff purchased the business from the Urban’s in 1962. Along with the shop, Lynn purchased 2 new Tastee-Freez Ice Cream Trucks. The trucks were then driven up a muddy, dirt and gravel road, more fondly referred to as the Alaska Highway, or the Alcan. Connecting highways in Alaska and British Columbia, the 1422 mile “engineering marvel” was constructed in 9 months, starting in March of 1942. It was built early in WWII to ensure a safe overland route for supplies coming to Alaska. At that time, Japan was attacking the far reaches of the territory in the Aleutian Islands.
In the early years of Tastee-Freez, all of the shops in Alaska were seasonal, and closed during the winter. Not to be outdone by our friends in the warmer “lower 48”, Lynn wanted to see if she could sell frozen desserts at 20 below by staying open during the long, dark winter. It was profitable, and the restaurant has been open year-round since 1963. Because the building was designed for summer use only, the “winter TF uniform” often consisted of insulated military “bunny boots”, long-johns, heavy coats, and even mittens. Customers were know to arrive by dog team and horseback.
Photographs of the mud covered trucks coming through Whitehorse, Yukon attest to the road conditions 15 years after the highway was first opened. College students were hired to operate the trucks. One student put himself through Stanford University by selling ice cream. In the days following the 1964 earthquake, the generators on the trucks’ were used to help power portions of Anchorage International Airport until power could be restored.
In 1975, Lynn sold the business to her son Mike and his wife Wanda. Due to her “addiction to chili dogs, dipped cones, and helping hundreds of teenagers with their first jobs”, Lynn continued to work part time until 1994. Several years after Mike took over, he tore down the old “walk up style” shop, and built a facility that had limited inside seating. In 1983, the restaurant was moved from E. Northern Lights, to a large new building at the corner of Raspberry and Jewel Lake in West Anchorage. The restaurant remained in that facility until 1990, when the city widened Jewel Lake Rd., dropping it 12 feet. At that time, it was moved across the street, into Raspberry Center Mall, where it currently resides. On August 1, 1994, Rich Owens purchased Jewel Lake Tastee-Freez, and continues to operate the popular hotspot to the delight of customers young and old. The restaurant now seats 85 inside and 50 outside. Outside seating is limited to summer months (unless you’re really tough, have a dog team, or bring your horse).
