Take a new lick, er, look

The university’s famed Babcock Dairy Store reopened to the public at the end of July after undergoing a major renovation — and not a moment too soon, given the high heat and humidity of this summer. The renovated store, 1605 Linden Drive, one of the most popular spots on campus, features natural maple, colorful tiles and flooring, glossy black menu boards and bright, modern lighting funded through a donation from John and Donna Hansen of Onalaska, Wis. The store’s hours are 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Saturdays.

Visitors order ice cream from sellers working behind shiny stainless steel countertops chosen because “they’re dairy-like, very sanitary and easy to clean” says Food Science Department administrative director Tom Blattner. (Photo: Jeff Miller)

Waffle cones are stacked and ready for assistant manager Robert Flores. (Photo: Jeff Miller)

Behind the scenes, Babcock dairy plant staff member Ben Oldenburg, right, fills containers with freshly produced mint fudge marble as Emre Karabulut puts on labeled lids and stores the cartons in a freezer that keeps them at a cool 20 degrees below zero. (Photo: Jeff Miller)