Iconic ice cream shop gets new owner

The Village Ice Cream Parlor, a Lebanon icon for more than 40 years, has been sold.

Aaron Zwelling of Lebanon is expected to take over the downtown business on Dec. 15.

Zwelling, who formerly worked as a district manager for Graeter’s Ice Cream, bought the business from the Hartsock family. Dave and Phyllis Hartsock, parents of Mike Hartsock, long-time sportscaster at WHIO TV, purchased the business in 1980.

Two sisters, Susan Alexander and Sandy Fuston, have been running the restaurant.

The ice cream shop has been featured in several movies. Scenes from the movies “Harper Valley PTA” and “Milk Money” were filmed in the restaurant, named one of Ohio’s Best by Ohio Magazine in 2012.

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