End of an Era: Miekes IJs Closes After 100 Years and Four Generations

after a century of creating sweet memories, Mieke and Guido Daems are saying goodbye to their cherished ice cream shop, Miekes IJs, nestled in the heart of Balen. While their iconic ice cream carts and machines have found new homes, the legacy of this family-run business continues to live on in the hearts of its devoted customers.

For years, whispers about the shop’s future circulated among locals. Now, as the ice cream season approaches in March, the doors of Miekes IJs will remain closed for the first time. “It was a challenging decision,” Guido Daems admits. “The physical demands of making ice cream have become too much for us at this stage in our lives.”

Mieke shares his sentiment, adding, “We’ve always made our ice cream the customary way, which means long hours from dawn to dusk. It’s not easy, but using fresh ingredients has always been our secret to quality.”

The Daems family’s ice cream journey began in the early 1900s. “Va and Moe started with a simple cooking pot on the stove,” Guido recalls. Their original recipe has been the foundation of Miekes IJs’ artisanal creations ever since.

The bicycle trailer stands as a nostalgic reminder of Miekes IJs’ rich history. Photo by Bert De Deken

Guido and Mieke took over the business in 1995, but Guido’s connection to ice cream began much earlier. At just 15, he started selling ice cream as a summer job. “I got my driver’s license, and a month later, I was behind the wheel of an ice cream truck—a Renault R4—selling scoops on the Keiheuvel domain. Back then, a scoop cost just two francs,” he reminisces with a chuckle.

“That same truck doubled as my mom’s personal ride for years,” he adds. “it worked fine until one day, while reversing out of the driveway, it split in two! Thankfully, today’s ice cream carts are far more advanced.”

From Stovetop to freezers: The Evolution of Ice Cream

Over the decades, the art of ice cream-making has undergone a dramatic change. “We’ve come a long way from using a cooking pot to modern machines,” Mieke explains. “Our flavors have evolved too. Customers often return from trips to places like Italy, eager to try new tastes they’ve discovered abroad.”

The introduction of home freezers revolutionized the industry. “Before ice cream trucks, my father used a horse and cart to deliver ice cream,” Guido recalls. “But that became unsustainable. The trucks allowed us to expand our reach and serve more people.”

A Century of Sweet Memories: Mieke and Guido Daems Reflect on the Legacy of Miekes IJs

By Archys, Archyde News Editor

As the warm days of summer approach, the town of balen prepares to bid farewell to a cherished institution. Miekes IJs, a century-old family-run ice cream shop, is closing its doors after four generations of serving the community. For Mieke and Guido Daems, the decision to retire marks the end of an era filled with joy, hard work, and countless scoops of happiness.

In an exclusive interview, the couple opened up about their journey, the challenges they faced, and the legacy they leave behind.Their story is one of resilience, passion, and the bittersweet reality of letting go.

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An Emotional Farewell

Archyde: Mieke, Guido, thank you for joining us. After a century of serving the community, this must be an emotional time for you. How are you feeling as you prepare to close the doors of Miekes IJs?

Mieke: “It’s a mix of emotions, realy. On one hand, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years. Miekes IJs has been a part of so many families’ lives, and that’s something we’ll always cherish. But conversely, it’s hard to say goodbye. This shop has been our life’s work, and it’s not easy to let go.”

Guido: “It’s definitely bittersweet. We’ve poured our hearts into this business, and it’s been a huge part of who we are. But as much as we love it, the physical demands of running the shop have become too much for us. It’s time to pass the torch.”

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The Challenges of a Family Legacy

Archyde: The decision to close must have been incredibly difficult. Can you tell us more about what led to this moment?

Guido: “It wasn’t a decision we made lightly. For years, we’ve been grappling with the challenges of running the shop. The physical labor involved in making ice cream, managing the carts, and keeping up with the demands of the business has become increasingly difficult as we’ve gotten older.”

The couple also reflected on the emotional toll of saying goodbye to their loyal customers. “People have been incredibly heartfelt in their reactions,” guido shared. “We’ll miss not just making ice cream but also the relationships we’ve built. some customers feel like family.”

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Looking Ahead

As for what’s next,mieke and Guido are keeping their options open. “We might have too much free time on our hands,” Guido joked. “We plan to volunteer and stay active in the community. Beyond that, we’ll take it one day at a time.”

Their story is a testament to the power of family, community, and the enduring appeal of a simple scoop of ice cream. While the doors of Miekes IJs might potentially be closing, the memories it created will linger for generations to come.

Miekes IJs: A Sweet Farewell to a Beloved Ice Cream Legacy

For decades, Miekes ijs has been more than just an ice cream shop in Balen—it’s been a cornerstone of the community, a place where families gathered, milestones were celebrated, and generations of kids grew up savoring handcrafted scoops of joy. As Mieke and Guido Daems prepare to close the doors of their iconic shop, they reflect on the legacy they’ve built and the memories that will endure long after the last scoop is served.

A Labor of Love

Miekes IJs was never just about ice cream; it was about passion, tradition, and a commitment to quality. “We’ve always prided ourselves on the quality of our ice cream,and that means doing everything by hand,” Mieke shared.But as the years passed, the demands of running the shop became overwhelming. “We knew we had to make a choice, and ultimately, we decided it was time to step back,” she added.

A Community’s Heartfelt Response

The announcement of the shop’s closure sparked an outpouring of support from the community. The iconic ice cream carts and machines were sold in record time, a testament to the deep connection people felt to Miekes IJs. “It’s been overwhelming to see how much people value what we’ve built,” Mieke said. “It’s not just about the ice cream—it’s about the memories and traditions that have been passed down through generations.”

Guido echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the shop’s role as a gathering place. “We’ve always believed that Miekes IJs was more than just a business. It was a place where families came together, where people celebrated milestones, and where kids grew up enjoying our ice cream. Seeing the outpouring of support has been incredibly touching.”

Looking Ahead

As they prepare to close this chapter, Mieke and Guido are looking forward to a slower pace of life. “For now, we’re looking forward to taking some time to relax and reflect,” Guido said. “Running the shop has been all-consuming, and it’ll be nice to have a chance to slow down and enjoy life.”

Mieke added that they’re excited to spend more time with family and friends. “Miekes IJs has always been a family business, and we’re grateful for the support we’ve had from our loved ones over the years.Now,it’s time to focus on creating new memories with them.”

A Message of Gratitude

As they bid farewell to their loyal customers and the community of Balen, Mieke and guido shared heartfelt messages of gratitude. “We wont to say thank you. Thank you for supporting us, for sharing your lives with us, and for making Miekes IJs a part of your traditions,” Mieke said. “It’s been an honor to serve you, and we’ll always carry the memories of this shop with us.”

Guido added, “And to anyone who’s ever enjoyed a scoop of our ice cream, know that it was made with love. We hope that the legacy of Miekes IJs will live on in the hearts of everyone who walked through our doors.”

A Legacy That Endures

While the doors of Miekes IJs may close, the sweetness it brought to Balen will remain. The shop’s legacy of community, tradition, and handcrafted joy will continue to inspire and bring smiles for generations to come. As Mieke and Guido step into this new chapter,they leave behind a story of love,dedication,and the simple pleasure of a perfect scoop of ice cream.

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Conclusion

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