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Stanly Dairies was incorporated in April 1943 and according to the Stanly News & Press from Sept. 4, 1951, it opened for business in January 1944.

The business, owned by C.A. Crowell Jr., sold 35 gallons of milk on the first day and by 1951 was averaging about 1,600 gallons.

As seen in today’s photo from John Williams’ collection, the business was a popular hangout for the young people of the area.

Stanly Dairies had worked closely with the Burrage family of Cabarrus Creamery for a number of years, so in 1959 when Stanly Dairies began struggling financially, it was purchased by the Burrages.

Unfortunately, just two years later in 1961, when the much-needed school milk contract was not renewed, the business was forced to close.

{Lewis Bramlett – Stanly County Historical Society}