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On June 1, 1950 the Penn Yan Chronicle reported:

Drive In–Drive Out Dairy Products Stand Opens at Indian Pines

The Seneca Farms fire did result in one loss that is particularly sad to those of us who love history – the Trombley’s collection of photographs of the business taken over the years.

We would like to help them restore their collection.

If you have photographs of Seneca Farms from any time over the past 56 years, consider sharing them. If you bring them to the Historical Society we will scan them and provide copies to the Trombleys.

A new type of drive-in window-to-car service for dairy products made its innovation last weekend on West Lake Road, Indian Pines, near Penn Yan.

The new building operating as the Seneca Farms with George MacDougall as president, is now open for business, offering various dairy products including frozen custard, ice cream, sundaes and other dairy items.

Three service windows have been installed. The operation makes it possible for a person to drive up in their automobile, give their order at one window from the car, and receive their order at the next window. This new business makes it possible to enjoy speedy service and you can wear your work clothes when calling at the store, say the owners.

Thus, a Yates County institution was born. During its first 25 years, Seneca Farms changed hands a number of times. In 1957 a second stand was opened across from Red Jacket Park.

On April 1, 1976 Richard Trombley purchased the business to be run by his son Joe, and the restaurant that was launched is still thriving today. When asked what he thought about his father buying the business back then, Joe said, “I thought he was nuts.” Obviously, he was not nuts and Seneca Farms has evolved into a true family business. Over the next few years daughters Tiffany and Nitasha arrived and joined the business. Nitasha thinks she started scooping ice cream by the time she was 11. She also remembers being frightened of thunderstorms and sleeping in a sleeping bag on the floor in the restaurant even though home was right next door. Today Joe, Tiffany and Nitasha run the business as a team.

Seneca Farms truly is an institution in Penn Yan. When it opens for the season, we all know summer is not far off and we are always a little sad to see it close for the winter. How many of us make sure we get one more Seneca Farms “fix” before the doors are locked?

This past year, as Joe Trombley was nearing the celebration of his 30th anniversary with Seneca Farms, tragedy struck. The kitchen and dining area were severely damaged by fire. Seneca Farms lovers held their collective breaths. What if they didn’t rebuild? They did rebuild, and made the best out of a bad situation. The remodeled Seneca Farms retains the charm of the 1950’s ice cream stand while the kitchen was rebuilt, dining area expanded and a bathroom added. And that catchy Coca Cola theme throughout the store – Joe’s idea.

The Trombley family has a lot to be proud of but Joe says he feels best about the fact that every-thing from ice cream to corn fritters is made fresh on the premises. Earlier owners had gotten away from making their own ice cream, but the Trombleys have made it a thirty year tradition.

Seneca Farms
108 West Lake Road,
Rte. 54A
PennYan, NY
315-536-4066

Specializing in homemade ice cream and fried chicken