A facelift for an MSU icon
Anthony Yuhasz
January 29, 2020
In the middle of December, when much of campus was winding down after a long semester, IPF and its contractors began renovations to one of MSU’s sweetest attractions – the Dairy Store.
Dairy Store management wanted an update to make it brighter and to improve functionality. And since the store receives so much traffic, much-used cabinetry and equipment needed replacing, and additional space was needed to accommodate a future second cashier station.
For Dean Geisenhaver, IPF structural planner/inspector/analyst II, and project manager it was a bit of déjà vu.
“Carpenter Nick Rowe and I worked on the last big remodel of the Dairy Store a decade or so ago,” Geisenhaver said. “We gave it that barn-like look and put in the checkerboard flooring.”
This time around, improvements to the store included:
- New ice cream dip freezers
- New countertops for, and expansion of, the front service counter (to allow for a future additional cash register station)
- New custom cabinetry with improved hardware
- New paint and select ceiling tiles
- New front counter façade and wall signage
- Subway tile backsplash installation in rear prep area
“We were able to save money by reusing the existing stainless-steel work surfaces, creating custom-made cabinetry that fits in perfectly underneath,” Geisenhaver said. “The new laminate cabinet doors hang from tracks at the top and are much easier to keep clean.”
The waffle-cone station has been moved to the front where customers can watch them being made, and the soup has been moved to the back.
“I had a great crew,” Geisenhaver said. “We were done a day early and were able to hand it over to the customer on Jan. 2, which allowed them to open the weekend students returned from break.”
Emily McPharlin - MSU Dairy Store head student supervisor“IPF was very helpful in ensuring we got exactly what we wanted in the remodeling. They were very accommodating to any changes we made before, during and after the project. Overall, it was a very positive experience!”
