The Cowboy Trail 
The story begins more than 75 years ago! The bright and hopeful entrepreneurial couple of James and Christina MacKay took over the ownership and operation of the General Store in Cochrane, Alberta. In 1948 they wanted to expand their growing business by attracting Calgary day-trippers as well as catering to the tastes of a local hot summer crowd, the MacKay’s started making ice cream in the back of their shoppe. So officially begins the ice cream legend.
In the mid 60’s with a change in Alberta law, the ice cream shoppe could now open wares on Sundays. This was a perfect match for the many Calgary families wanted to spend a delicious afternoon together. It is now a long-standing tradition.
By the 1970’s, Jimmy and his daughters, Rhona & Robyn, refined their operations. They watched demand for their amazing concoctions soar. In the end all grocery related items were removed from the store so the focus could be ice cream.
One hot day in 1976, the Sunday crowd reached record levels and servers slumped to their chairs after scooping up over 4500 ice creams in a single day.
Scoop by scoop, it became clear that production capacity needed to be increased and the back of the little general store was no longer enough space. The same great methods and ingredients moved across the tracks to the current manufacturing plant in Cochrane’s industrial area.
With James’ sudden death in 1983, and Christina looking toward retirement, Rhona and Robyn took over the thriving family business. Rhona and Robyn attend Penn State and Guelph University ice cream short courses (yes, there is such a thing!) in their quest for excellence and professional development.
Robyn took the opportunity to travel extensively and brough home fresh and tropical ideas to add to their menu. Including, Young Coconut, Durian, Purple Yam and Green Tea!
Robyn and Rhona had known for years the rewards of making people smile and relax by dishing out a perfect ice cream treat. They were officially recognized for their efforts by being named Canadian Female Entrepreneurs of the Year and by being selected for Maclean’s Honour Roll.
As if the amazing list of flavours wasn’t paralyzing enough, Mochaccino, Cookie Dough and Cotton Candy flavours were added. They immediately became huge hits!
In the mid 1990’s the original shoppe front was lovingly restored, in an effort to celebrate the heritage of both the shoppe and the town where MacKay’s began.
2011 marked the beginning of the third generation of the MacKay’s family business, with granddaughter Meghan and her husband Mark continuing the tradition. That year also marked the 65th anniversary of MacKay’s ice cream!
Flash Forward to 2022 and here we are one year away from MacKay’s 75th Anniversary. MacKays is looking forward to serving more customers and more exciting flavours of ice cream well into the future.
Meghan and Mark continue the tradition of adding new and exciting flavours to the menu, with Kulfi, Haskap Berry, and Keso.
They have also spent time searching for historic artifacts to adorn the walls inside the shoppe, so customers can enjoy looking at the rich history of MacKay’s and the town of Cochrane.
https://www.mackaysicecream.com/
We are located at: 220 1st Street W, Cochrane, Alberta
Phone: 403-932-2455
