Local News
Millers Enjoy Operating New Parkview Dairy Inn
By Dave Thompson
Apr 30, 2008 - 11:58 AM

Lavern and Phyllis Miller, owners of the new Parkview Dairy Inn, have had the business open and running for the last several weeks. The Millers came up with the concept of getting into the restaurant business about eight years ago. They contemplated their options over those years and then decided last year to build a new dairy inn at the exact corner where the former Parkview hotel stood in Stromsburg.
When Vern was young growing up in Osceola his parents had a restaurant from 1955 to 1958. Phyllis came into the family business partnership with an impressive resume in food service having worked for nine years at the Covenant Home and sixteen years at the school doing all varieties of food preparation. Now that they are in the business together they share the cooking duties at the Dairy Inn.
The Millers knew they wanted to have the business be along Highway 81. After considering a few different options, they decided to make an offer on the lot where the old hotel sat. The deal was completed, which enabled them to begin the construction phase last fall. Earlier this spring they opened the doors to begin their new business venture. The location has worked out quite well for parking access and also offers a nice panoramic view of the town through the big windows on the east and south sides of the building. Phyllis commented about how there have been times when people have come in to sit and eat and they begin seeing parts of buildings and other aspects of the town they really have not had a chance to pay attention to before.
The Dairy Inn has a nice sitting area with several tables and chairs as you come into the front doors on the east or south side. There is a TV to watch in the upper northeast corner of the dining area. The black and white tile along with some of the decor items on the walls give the place a little bit of a retro feel that is reminiscent of the popular Dairy Queen styles of the 50’s and 60’s. They recently brought in a new ice cream machine to handle the needs of those wanting soft serve ice cream products, especially as the warmer weather approaches.
The Millers have enjoyed serving all varieties of customers since they have opened the doors. Phyllis talked about enjoying the track kids who come in after practice, the women’s lunch groups, men’s coffee groups, families and individuals. Some, stop along the road to grab a quick ice cream cone, then there are others who stop in to have some lunch and sit and talk for part of the afternoon.
The current business hours are from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. seven days a week. They may begin to stay open an hour or two later as the summer months begin to approach to accommodate ball teams and all the other various early evening cravings that arise.
Vern and Phyllis look forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones as they stop by to sample the various items on the menu and get caught up on what’s going on around town.

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