August 1, 1983
A piece of history: Wayne's last creamery is outgrown
The last creamery in Wayne- and one of the last in Northeast Nebraska- has stopped churning. For many years, dairy farmers brought cream to the creamery which is now located at Roberts Feed and Seed. Those days are gone. Mark and Carol Griesch have sold Roberts Feed and Seed to Brooks and Jennifer Widner of Wayne. The couple, which takes possession today, will continue all phases of operation at the business except for the creamery.
Carol Griesch says the cream business has put itself out of business. Technology has led to its downfall. "It's a piece of history becoming obsolete. Bulk milk is the easiest way to go," Carol said. "Everyone sells bulk milk, there are no separators now." The cream business was booming back in the 1950's and creameries required four employees.
One man would carry in cream and eggs, another would wash cans, one would test the cream and another would write out checks. On Saturday nights, farmers would bring their cream into town.
Roberts creamery has been operating at its present location since 1951 when Evert Roberts got his cream station license. At that time, the business handled as many as 200 fie-gallon cans of cream a night. Carol estimated there were 10 or 12 cream stations in Wayne in the 50's.
