If you’re searching for the best ice cream in Jacksonville, there’s a new sweet spot in town.
Dairy Joy has officially opened its fourth location at The Block Jax, bringing a family-owned ice cream tradition that dates back to 1958 to one of Jacksonville’s most exciting new destinations.
Located inside The Block Jax on Gate Parkway, Dairy Joy offers a unique combination of nostalgic soft serve, premium hard-packed ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes, and family-friendly fun. For our family, this opening is more than just another store. It feels like coming home.
What Is Dairy Joy?
Dairy Joy is a family-owned ice cream shop that has been serving the Tampa community for nearly seven decades.
At the end of 2017, the Mueller family purchased the original Dairy Joy location in Tampa. At the time, it was a third-generation family business that had been operating for 59 years. The name “Dairy Joy” has a special history. The woman we purchased the business from was named Joy, and her grandparents named the ice cream shop after her.
Since then, we’ve expanded carefully while honoring the history that made Dairy Joy special.
A few years later, we transformed a former Twistee Treat location into our second Dairy Joy. Then, in 2024, we acquired another beloved Florida ice cream institution, Rodeo Whip in DeLand. Rather than rebrand it, we intentionally kept the Rodeo Whip name to preserve its 46-year legacy and connection to the community.
Today, Jacksonville becomes home to our fourth location.
Why Open Dairy Joy in Jacksonville?
Jacksonville has always held a special place in our hearts.
While Dairy Joy’s roots are in Tampa, Chris Mueller’s wife, Karrie, grew up in Jacksonville. Her parents still live in the same home where she was raised, and five of her six siblings call Jacksonville home.
Opening Dairy Joy at The Block Jax feels like a full-circle moment for our family.
Instead of simply expanding into a new market, we’re becoming part of a community that has already been part of our lives for decades.
How Did Dairy Joy End Up at The Block Jax?
The connection came through friendship.
The Block Jax founder, Daniel Moffatt, has been friends with Chris’s brother-in-law since middle school. After both returned to Jacksonville, they reconnected, and the introduction eventually led to conversations about bringing Dairy Joy to The Block.
The more we learned about The Block Jax’s vision, the more excited we became.
Why The Block Jax Is the Perfect Home for Dairy Joy
The Block Jax is unlike anything else in Jacksonville.
It combines many of the things families are looking for in one location:
- Outdoor food hall experience
- Live entertainment
- Kids play areas
- Dog park
- Community events
- Family gathering spaces
As parents of three children ourselves, we immediately saw the appeal.
Families want places where they can spend meaningful time together without having to drive across town for multiple activities. The Block Jax creates an environment where parents can relax, kids can play, and everyone can enjoy great food and desserts in one place.
That’s exactly the type of atmosphere where Dairy Joy thrives.
What Can You Expect at Dairy Joy Jacksonville?
One of the things that makes Dairy Joy different from many ice cream shops is our hybrid menu.
We offer both:
Soft Serve Ice Cream
Classic soft serve favorites include:
- Vanilla
- Chocolate
- Twist
- Cherry-dipped cones
- Specialty dipped cones
For many guests, soft serve brings back childhood memories of summer nights and family outings.
Hard-Packed Ice Cream
We also offer premium scoopable ice cream with a wide variety of flavors.
That means parents can enjoy the soft serve they grew up with while kids can choose their favorite hard-pack flavors.
As Chris often says:
“I can enjoy the cherry-dipped vanilla cone I grew up with in the ’80s while my daughter gets her favorite mint chip.”
It’s truly the best of both worlds.
What Was the Biggest Challenge of Opening in Jacksonville?
Surprisingly, the build-out process went very smoothly.
Daniel partnered with Beyond the Menu, whose team helped guide the layout, equipment ordering, and installation process. Their expertise helped streamline the project from start to finish.
While our primary focus was what happens inside the Dairy Joy space, we worked closely with Daniel on colors, placement, and overall design elements to ensure the location fit naturally within The Block Jax experience.
The biggest ongoing challenge is simply distance.
Operating a Jacksonville location from Tampa requires careful planning and coordination. However, having a Jacksonville store also gives our family another reason to spend time in a city we already love.
Why Families Are Already Falling in Love with Dairy Joy Jax
Location matters.
Dairy Joy sits in an ideal location within The Block Jax with convenient access from the parking lot and close proximity to the children’s play area.
Parents can grab a cone, shake, or sundae while the kids enjoy everything The Block has to offer.
Whether you’re stopping by after dinner, meeting friends for dessert, attending an event, or simply cooling off on a Florida afternoon, Dairy Joy is designed to be part of the experience.
Visit Dairy Joy at The Block Jax Today
If you’ve been searching for ice cream near The Block Jax, Jacksonville soft serve, or the best family-friendly dessert spot in Jacksonville, we invite you to stop by and see what Dairy Joy is all about.
After nearly 70 years of serving smiles, we’re excited to create new memories with Jacksonville families.
Come experience a Tampa favorite since 1958 and discover why Dairy Joy has become a tradition for generations of Florida families.
Visit Dairy Joy at The Block Jax
📍 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL
🍦 Soft Serve • Hard-Packed Ice Cream • Sundaes • Milkshakes • SpoonThicks
We can’t wait to serve you.
