When Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor in Columbus closed in 2006 after 106 years in operation, the community mourned the loss. Not only had the Zaharako family been providing tasty treats to generations of residents, the building contained a remarkable Victorian interior, original enough to earn documentation by the Historic American Building Survey (HABS). When a California collector purchased the shop’s the much-loved 1908 Welte organ, residents were galvanized into action to save Zaharakos.

Local businessman Tony Moravec purchased the building in April 2007 with a pledge of total restoration. He repaired the woodwork, skylights, and tin ceiling, and carefully cleaned the signature onyx soda fountain, purchased by the Zaharako brothers after the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. He updated the kitchen and installed a new banquet hall and ice cream parlor for private functions. The piece-de-resistance: Moravic bought back the Welte self-playing organ from the collector in California and reinstalled it in its place of honor.

Moravic also bought and renovated an adjoining building to house a collection of antique soda foundations and a gift shop.

Thousands turned out on first weekend in June for the grand reopening, for what is now known as Zaharako’s Ice Cream Parlor and Museum. A handful of die-hard supporters even camped out all night to be first in line for the festivities, which included a display of classic cars and servers dressed in period costumes. 

Historic Landmarks Foundation recognized Moravec’s work with a Rosemary Prentice Award for Historic Preservation, presented in July at the Southern Regional Annual Meeting of Historic Landmarks’ in Bedford.

For more information about Zaharako’s, call 812-378-1900 or visit http://zaharakos.com/.