ABOUT US

Terry Fortune purchased the Tastee Freez in Boonville, IN from Ralph Wilson in 1978. Mr. Wilson and a silent partner opened the Tastee Freez in 1953. The business was a walk up only business at that time with 1 single vanilla ice cream machine. Terry remodeled the building in 1980 and added a drive-thru window. At that time, they ran the business with 1 double vanilla/chocolate machine and 1 orange/pineapple ice cream machine.

In 2002. Boonville’s Tastee Freez changed their name to TF Ice Cream. Becoming an independent operator allowed the business to keep local favorites such as the orange-pineapple, that the franchise was not allowing at the time. By this time, the business was operating 2 double vanilla soft serve machines, 1 vanilla/chocolate machine and 1 orange pineapple machine. In the summer of 2007, a fire nearly destroyed the building. However, Terry and his wife Danna were able to rebuild the building and TF Ice Cream continued to be a favorite ice cream destination in southern Indiana. Terry often credits his late wife, Danna Fortune, with the success of the TF Ice Cream business. She was a ‘people person’ never meeting a stranger! Her motto was listed on TF labels for many years: “Ice Cream is good for you!”

Over the years, TF Ice Cream developed a close working relationship with the C. A. Derr and Company using their flavors and selling the Derr’s soft drinks on fountain. In 2019, C.A. Derr and Company made the decision to sell their business to TF Ice Cream. Purchasing the Derr’s business allowed TF Ice Cream to continue to offer the unique flavors, extracts and Derr’s brand sodas the local community has come to know and enjoy. 

TF Ice Cream and Derr’s sodas look forward to continuing their long history of providing quality products to our neighbors both near and far!