A Pretty Sweet Silo

Summer will start out with a unique attraction and support for the dairy industry with the opening of the Ice Cream Barn for the residents and tourist of Iron Mountain, Michigan.

Greenwood Silo recently created quite a stir in the town of Iron Mountain, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Bill Neuens, owner of the Ice Cream Barn, a local ice cream parlor, had the unique idea to put a silo next to his establishment.

After first considering a stave silo, Neuens contracted Greenwood Silo to erect a refurbished Harvestor bottom unloading silo on the property. Constructed in a matter of days in early May, the 14X40 foot silo is non-functional. Marvin Reiff, owner of Greenwood Silo, suggested the silo have two doorways, one at the bottom and the other 15 feet higher. A circular stairway goes to the upper doorway, which leads to a second level pavilion where patrons partake in their sweet treats. Customers can either go upstairs from the parlor to the outside open-air seating area and exit through the silo or enter through the silo to the second level.

“This project was a lot of fun and our crew enjoyed building this silo” says. “We caused quite a commotion as well. People were stopping and watching us work and driving by waving and honking.”