A New Chapter for The Front Porch Churn: An Interview with Daniel Verdin
July 31, 2024
The Front Porch Churn, a traveling ice cream business, has captured the hearts and taste buds of South Carolinians for over a decade. As the business gears up for a new venture, we sat down with owner Daniel Verdin to delve into the origins, evolution, and future plans of this unique enterprise.
Business Origin and Inspiration
The Front Porch Churn’s story began in 2011 when Daniel’s father purchased a Country Freezer 20-quart churn. What started as a family activity quickly grew into something much larger. “We enjoyed making ice cream any chance we could—beach trips, birthday parties, graduation parties, or just after Sunday dinner under a shade tree,” Daniel reminisced. The family’s early attempts involved a hand-cranked churn, a labor-intensive process that required a team effort.
In 2012, the introduction of an old homemade steam engine revolutionized their ice cream making. “We hooked up the 2.5-horsepower steam engine to our churn and called it ‘Steam Cream,'” Daniel explained. The steam engine added a unique charm and efficiency to the process, attracting attention at local events.
The turning point came when Daniel met Gene Ray and Sue Fulmer from Ridge Spring, South Carolina at the Catfish Festival. The Fulmers, who were already in the ice cream business for several years, decided to sell their well-equipped trailer to Daniel. “They made me a very fair proposal and offered to help me learn the ropes,” Daniel recalled. “I am forever indebted to them for their mentorship in the early years.”
Being an entrepreneur brings with it challenges and doubts, but Daniel Verdin comes from a long line of business owners, a fact his father, Danny Verdin reminded him of. “I was excited about the opportunity but felt like I knew little about starting or running a business,” Daniel said. “That’s when my father reminded me that business ownership is a family trait going back to my great-grandfathers on both sides and continuing with my parents.” His parents, Danny and Kim Verdin own and run Verdin’s Farm and Garden in Laurens, and Kim branched out to open Verdins Too, an open-air nursery and gift shop in Laurens. Daniel’s family is known for their creativity, hard work, and willingness to take risks. His great-grandfather on his dad’s side owned a general store in Five Forks, while another great-grandfather was an antique dealer. Daniel worked for the family business while growing up, often taking on roles that required thinking outside the box, such as running smaller ventures within the business and managing logistics, including buying and selling hay, straw, pine straw, and in-shell pecans in the winter.
Daniel’s experience working in the family business laid the foundation for his launch of the Front Porch Churn.
Event Participation and Geographic Reach
The Front Porch Churn has taken its sweet treats to various locations, but the most distant and significant is Hillsville, Virginia. “It’s a three-day event over Labor Day weekend. We serve ice cream on Friday and Saturday, then on Sunday, we get to enjoy the festival,” shared Daniel. Hillsville, known for its massive flea market, is also their biggest event of the year and holds a special place in Daniel’s heart. His great-grandfather helped start the flea market, and his parents sold antiques there for 20 years. Now, Daniel and The Front Porch Churn continue the family tradition as the fourth generation to do business at this storied event.
The business serves a range of events, from small-town festivals to large community gatherings and private events. “One of the best things about the Front Porch Churn is we are truly mobile,” said Daniel. “Everywhere we go, we receive a warm welcome.”
Operational Details and Customer Engagement
The Front Porch Churn can be found at many of the same festivals each year, relying on word-of-mouth referrals and festival interactions to secure bookings for birthday parties, graduation celebrations, and other events. As a result, their schedule fills up, and they operate for about ten months annually, with fall being the busiest season due to the cooler weather and increased number of small-town festivals.
Customer engagement is primarily through quick interactions during ice cream transactions, but Daniel plans to enhance his social media presence in the coming year to keep customers informed about where the Front Porch Churn is serving up scoops of goodness. “People love the rustic look of the trailer and, of course, the ice cream. Hearing someone say, ‘This is the best ice cream I’ve ever had,’ is incredibly rewarding,” he shared.
A Sweet Future Ahead
Exciting changes are on the horizon for The Front Porch Churn. “This fall, we plan to open up a permanent location at Harper Commons in Laurens,” Daniel revealed. This new venture will allow them to reach more people and continue to provide excellent service and products. There are also plans to expand the menu to include more variety and new flavors with the same quality that customers have come to love.
Despite this new chapter, The Front Porch Churn will still be available for private events, ensuring that their beloved ice cream can be enjoyed at weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, and more. “We want to continue bringing nostalgia and joy to every occasion, whether at our new location or on the road,” Daniel added.
Community Involvement and Personal Reflections
Community involvement is at the core the Front Porch Churn’s business model. “I try to provide excellent service and product. Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy ice cream,” he said with a smile. The decision not to operate on Sundays reflects his personal beliefs. “Sunday is the Lord’s Day, and I trust that if I obey the Lord, he will take care of us,” Daniel explained.
As The Front Porch Churn embarks on this new chapter, Daniel’s commitment to quality and community remains steadfast. To book The Front Porch Churn for your next event, email [email protected]. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday party, or corporate event, The Front Porch Churn is ready to bring nostalgia and joy to every occasion.
As the fall season approaches, keep an eye out for The Front Porch Churn’s grand opening at Harper Commons. This exciting addition to the line up at Harper Commons is sure to bring a sweet treat to the community.
