Ted Drewes Jr., head of the frozen custard business in St. Louis, dies

Ted Drewes Jr., who ran his family’s popular frozen custard business in St. Louis for decades, has died. He was 96 years old.

His clients say he lived a life worth celebrating.

St. Louis native Kathy Smith said she was grateful that he kept this St. Louis institution alive for so long.

“I drove all the way from Charlotte, North Carolina, last night,” Smith said Wednesday when she learned of his death. “It’s really sad. I mean, I remember going out with my friends in the ’80s and then before the night was over, I met Ted Drewes.”

From left to right: Jessica Szymczak, 28, and her mother Julie, 61, and her aunt Lisa Carr, 57, sit on benches and enjoy Ted Drewes Frozen Custard on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. — From left: Jessica Szymczak, 28, and her mother Julie, 61, and her aunt Lisa Carr, 57, sit on benches on Wednesday and enjoy Ted Drewes Frozen Custard.

Ted Drewes Jr. holds a vanilla pudding upside down to demonstrate its admirable viscosity. — Ted Drewes Jr. celebrated his 96th birthday on February 17. The frozen custard company raised a toast to him and his dedication to the dessert.

Drewes followed in the footsteps of his father, Ted Drewes Sr., who opened his first frozen custard store in Florida in 1929. A year later, the elder Drewes opened another store on Natural Bridge Road in St. Louis and one on South Grand in 1931.

In 1941, the family opened the store on Chippewa Street, now Ted Drewes’ main store.

Drewes Jr. ran the dessert shop for more than 80 years, assisted by four generations of family members and employees. He expanded the family business to sell other treats and Christmas trees.

Diane Alblinger, a native of Champagne, Illinois, now lives in Southern California and has been coming here for much of her life.

She said Drewes’ commitment to the St. Louis region will not be forgotten.

“He brought a lot of joy to a lot of people, so his life was very precious,” Alblinger said. “It’s sad that he died, but I’m sure his memory will live on forever in his pudding.”

In a Facebook post on the occasion of his birthday in February, company representatives called Drewes a “living legend.”

“His dedication to keeping the St. Louis brand alive across generations is truly inspiring,” they wrote.