A well-established ice cream shop in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, is now on the market. Little’s Dairy Barn, a family-owned business that has operated for nearly 50 years, is listed for sale at $1.2 million. The sale includes the retail space, all equipment, and a 1.17-acre property featuring a newly renovated two-bedroom, two-bath home.
The shop, located on Zion Road, has built a loyal customer base over the decades. According to Chris Losco, the listing agent with Balsley Losco, “It’s been in business about 50 years and has an incredible following.” Little’s Dairy Barn operates seasonally, from late March through late September, and has garnered significant attention; “people line up the first day they open,” Losco noted.
The demand for employment at the shop is equally impressive. “It’s one of the few businesses that has a waiting list to work there,” Losco remarked. Showings for the property began on October 3, 2023, and since then, the agent has scheduled three appointments daily with pre-qualified buyers. “My phone is ringing off the hook,” he said, emphasizing the serious interest from potential purchasers. Although there have been “a couple” of offers, Losco stated, “It’s too early in the game.”
Little’s Dairy Barn was founded by Robert Little in May 1973. The LaPorte family has owned and operated the business since 1998. After 27 years of running the shop, the LaPorte family is looking to retire. “They just want to kinda retire,” Losco said.
The property also includes a newly renovated ranch home that has not been occupied since the renovations. “Everything is brand new — the heating, cooling, electric, plumbing, siding, roofing and windows,” Losco explained. The primary bedroom features an ensuite bathroom, and the home includes a walk-up attic and a half basement.
Real estate statistics reveal that the median sale price of a single-family home in Egg Harbor Township was $435,000 in October 2023, according to New Jersey Realtors, a trade association for real estate professionals in the state. The renovated home could potentially be rented out for approximately $2,500 per month or used by the new owner of the business.
As interest in Little’s Dairy Barn grows among prospective buyers, there is hope within the community that the new owner will maintain the shop’s legacy. “I think everybody’s hope… is whoever buys it keeps it the same and expands the business and maybe offers other things,” Losco expressed. The enduring popularity of this local staple underscores its significance to the community, making its future a point of interest for many in the Egg Harbor Township area.
