ktmoomau Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Sad news: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 27 minutes ago, ktmoomau said: Sad news: Yeah, I've been sitting on this one for a couple of years. Liz and I have talked, and although I don't want to reveal the content of our conversations, the weariness in her writing was palpable. She's just, plain tired. There are a lot of people out there like Liz - look at Julien Shapiro, Edan Macquaid, *me* ... they want to work hard and put out a good product, and the last thing in the world they care about is "being a marketer" with all the sleazy, self-promotion that comes with it. Unfortunately, unless you either do that, or pay someone to do it (and, what do you pay them with?) you're stuck with a "well-respected, but little-known" entity that people mistakenly assume is paying all your bills and bringing in all sorts of notoriety and riches - until one day, when the person responsible for that entity just doesn't want to do it anymore, and then everyone realizes what they've lost. Liz Davis is a Del Ray treasure, and The Dairy Godmother is an artisan icon. Twenty years from now, they'll be all but forgotten except by a select few, and I'll be one of those select few who always holds her in the highest esteem. Although I haven't talked with Liz about this in probably over a year, it isn't hard for me to read between the lines in her letter. She's somewhere on vacation, and finally said "fuck it," and I don't blame her one bit - she has one life to live, and I hope she enjoys it to the max. It would not surprise me one bit if she didn't make the final decision until she was actually out of the country, enjoying herself, and seeing what she could be doing instead of working fourteen-hour days running a custard shop. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simul Parikh Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Who wants to go in on this with me? KT? DaveO? Logan? Sick of cancer... custard seems much more fulfilling. She's going to be missed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 Just now, Simul Parikh said: Who wants to go in on this with me? KT? DaveO? Logan? Sick of cancer... custard seems much more fulfilling. She's going to be missed. Yep, Simul knew about it also. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmoomau Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 20 minutes ago, Simul Parikh said: Who wants to go in on this with me? KT? DaveO? Logan? Sick of cancer... custard seems much more fulfilling. Pretty darn tempting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Radigan Posted January 12, 2017 Share Posted January 12, 2017 heard about it not too long ago from a colleague and said to myself "why wouldn't she get out?' Of course there are lines out the door at certain times of the day of the week, but its not like you are selling $20 cups of custard but custard at a low price to attract people of all sizes. this place will be missed dearly. One of my favorite pictures with my youngest is sitting on the red picnic benches next to stomping grounds in the dead of August eating custard. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 We were there the day they opened and remained frequent flyers. I even won a "name the flavor" contest very early on. Liz was a great member of the neighborhood. Happy for Liz but incredibly sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimCo Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 She had quietly stopped selling gift certificates a while ago, which makes me think this was in the works (or in her thoughts) for a while. Good for her. Banana Pudding and Salted Caramel were my favorites. Still got a half gallon of Candy Cane in my freezer. Maybe it's now a collectors item? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlow Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 Let's remember that Liz's shop, plus her spirit and hard work was the definitive "third" place. That was Liz's stated goal from the beginning. Third places are important to community building, "places where people spend time between home (‘first’ place) and work (‘second’ place). They are locations where we exchange ideas, have a good time, and build relationships." (Brookings Institution) From 2005: "A Rich Concoction of Midwestern Tastes and Values" by Mary Claire Kendall on alextimes.com What an amazing Liz, then, now and always. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abigail99 Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 SO sad. My husband and I had a long-standing tradition of hopping in our little vintage convertible in the heat of summer and driving all the way from Chevy Chase MD to the Dreamery/DG (especially on Mozambique day) and then stopping at Gravelly Point on the way home to watch planes land. Those will forever be happy memories. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlow Posted January 13, 2017 Share Posted January 13, 2017 2 hours ago, abigail99 said: SO sad. My husband and I had a long-standing tradition of hopping in our little vintage convertible in the heat of summer and driving all the way from Chevy Chase MD to the Dreamery/DG (especially on Mozambique day) and then stopping at Gravelly Point on the way home to watch planes land. Those will forever be happy memories. What a lovely memory, "abigal99". For many years my husband and I would be led on summer evenings by our sweet black and white mixed breed dog to the Dreamery/DG door. When I say led, I mean as if she was the lead dog pulling a sled. She was obsessed with Liz's special Squirrel treats. An essential ingredient was discarded beer hops. In the early days, Liz would often take time to come out front to visit with our leader, us too. As you say, forever happy memories. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 15 hours ago, danlow said: When I say led, I mean as if she was the lead dog pulling a sled. She was obsessed with Liz's special Squirrel treats. An essential ingredient was discarded beer hops. In the early days, Liz would often take time to come out front to visit with our leader, us too. As you say, forever happy memories. Not to be a Debbie downer but ... I hope you meant spent grain. Hops either fresh or spent can be poisonous for dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simul Parikh Posted January 14, 2017 Share Posted January 14, 2017 Yah, dogs love spent grain. Hops in fresh or pellet form are gross. I don't know what possessed me to try them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 More on what's going on here--Credit: John Kelly, Washington Post 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 I'll say this now, although even Liz herself may not remember it. Does anyone remember when The Dairy Godmother was "The Del Ray Dreamery," but that name was trademarked, so Liz had a contest to change it? And she initially decided on "That Custard Place in Del Ray?" This is the part Liz may or may not remember: I thought that was an awful name, and I wrote Liz an impassioned letter not to do it, basically saying "It's not to late to back out - please don't call it 'That Custard Place in Del Ray.'" She wrote me back and thanked me for my thoughts, and said she now had a lot to think about - a short while later, she came up with "The Dairy Godmother," which I think is a brilliant name. I have no idea whether I was singularly responsible for the change, partially responsible for the change, or not at all responsible for the change, but that's what happened, and I remember writing her back and telling her how much I loved "The Dairy Godmother." (Hence) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 We didn't love the interim name, and I remember just lighting up when she made the second change. Dairy Godmother was perfect and so reflected the vibe of the place. Still have a couple small gift certs. Dang it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Radigan Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 I moved into the neighborhood shortly before she opened and remember the confusion with the name. My sons will be so sad come springtime, along with their little league baseball teams, when the doors don't reopen. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Radigan Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 The Pop-up was packed as of 9:00am this morning. If you swing by and see a big, goofy guy in glasses working the No1 Pickle station give him a hearty shout out "Hey Chef Will Ham! Josh says get back to work." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 22 minutes ago, Josh Radigan said: The Pop-up was packed as of 9:00am this morning. If you swing by and see a big, goofy guy in glasses working the No1 Pickle station give him a hearty shout out "Hey Chef Will Ham! Josh says get back to work." Josh, what is "the pop-up?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Radigan Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Different styles of Pickles from No1 Sons Pickle Company, Smoked Salmon and Bagels from Bagel Rising. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 51 minutes ago, Josh Radigan said: Different styles of Pickles from No1 Sons Pickle Company, Smoked Salmon and Bagels from Bagel Rising. I think I need a second cup of coffee. I don't mean to be dim, but why is this in the Dairy Godmother thread? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh Radigan Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 It was a part of the thread from up top. Pras quoted John Kelly's article which mentioned the pop-up. Move as needed. Get that second cup from Emma's, still digging that place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 6 minutes ago, Josh Radigan said: It was a part of the thread from up top. Pras quoted John Kelly's article which mentioned the pop-up. Move as needed. Get that second cup from Emma's, still digging that place. Ah, my apologies - I'll fix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pras Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 More on the pop-up from the Washington Post. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Cook&Bottlewasher Posted January 24, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted January 24, 2017 Oh,Godchildren! Don't worry! There are people who are interested in buying and, while there may be change, The DG will live on. I had a GREAT time.It was my savior in many ways but I have much to do that I wasn't able to squeeze in while I was working so many hours.I will have another,smaller business of some kind....or a few businesses.I have ideas, just not enough time. Thanks for you support and kind words. Liz 17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 45 minutes ago, Cook&Bottlewasher said: Oh,Godchildren! Don't worry! There are people who are interested in buying and, while there may be change, The DG will live on. I had a GREAT time.It was my savior in many ways but I have much to do that I wasn't able to squeeze in while I was working so many hours.I will have another,smaller business of some kind....or a few businesses. I have ideas, just not enough time. Thanks for you support and kind words. Liz I think as long as we know you're happy, Liz, we'll be happy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 As sad as we are, we all agree. You will be missed deeply but are entitled to your next adventure. I can only hope you get a cool new Twitter handle soon. (And that your new business is in Falls Church, but I digress....) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 Extremely happy to report that it's back open. It's not my place to speak to the business details, but the custard was perfect on Saturday and it was great to see Liz. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktmoomau Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 On 3/6/2017 at 4:25 PM, stevem said: Extremely happy to report that it's back open. It's not my place to speak to the business details, but the custard was perfect on Saturday and it was great to see Liz. Details here: http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2017/03/06/stop-the-presses-del-ray-s-dairy-godmother-is.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Liz has posted on Facebook that she's finalizing her move to Wisconsin this week. We'll miss you, Liz! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem Posted March 1, 2018 Share Posted March 1, 2018 Liz is one of the finest humans on earth and was truly a pioneer in Del Ray. She will be missed. And, fortunately, the custard hasn’t missed a beat. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeithA Posted April 9, 2019 Share Posted April 9, 2019 First time on Sunday for an afternoon treat. The weather was nice but still didn't expect the line wrapping to the back. Good news was it moved fast. Me and the kids each got custard which was good and rich similar to Kohr Bros but a little richer and less sweet (I think slightly better). Portions were small but that was ok since it is rich. Chocolate and vanilla were both good. I also got the passion mango sorbet which was very nice and paired well with the chocolate. I like how you get multiple flavors even in a small. The only downside was the m&m topping (only topping any of us had) which were advertised as m&ms but were either stale or carob coated candies or something else. Did not taste right and were thrown away. So stick to the ice cream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted April 10, 2019 Share Posted April 10, 2019 8 hours ago, KeithA said: The only downside was the m&m topping (only topping any of us had) which were advertised as m&ms but were either stale or carob coated candies or something else. Did not taste right and were thrown away. So stick to the ice cream. Yeah, this is actually a small upside to the fro-yo places where you can "dial your own" M&Ms, carob chips, sprinkles, etc. Really small. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevem Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 Extremely small. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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