Snelgrove Ice Cream brand closing in March

After 79 years in Utah, the Snelgrove Ice Cream brand is retiring.

Snelgrove, sold in Utah and some places in Idaho, was acquired by Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream in 1989. Its owner has continued manufacturing the brand at its Salt Lake City factory, but will discontinue production in March. After that, Snelgrove ice cream will be available only until store stocks run out.

Dreyer's spokesman Gary Lay says the move makes good financial sense, because demand for Snelgrove has been dwindling while Utahs become more familiar with the Dreyer's brand.

The factory will continue to produce Dreyer's products with its current staff in the future. Lay says a research and development team will determine whether any Snelgrove flavors will be transferred to the Dreyer's line.