History

In 1949, Bill and Lena Faye Kovener opened a small soft-serve ice cream shop in Seymour, Indiana. While the tiny brick building has become well known for its delicious ice cream, its history is even richer than its frozen treats.

Originally owned by Lena Faye’s parents, the store began as a three-pump Standard Oil gas station. When the state road was relocated in the early 1930s, the station was converted into a convenience store selling bread, milk, and other essentials to local residents.

During this time, Bill and Lena Faye were traveling the country, as Bill served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. After returning home, the couple took a chance and opened Kovener’s Korner—one of Seymour’s very first drive-in restaurants.

The small brick building, with its green roof, red brick, and yellow-striped awning, may be easy to pass by—but those whose curiosity led them to stop have never left disappointed. Locally famous for their Chocolate Malt ice cream (a recipe still used today), Kovener’s has become a cherished summertime tradition for Seymour residents, young and old alike.

A man and a woman standing at the gas pumps Bill and Lena Fay Koveners standing in front of the store A picture of the sstore when it was a convienece store

Today

Although Bill and Lena Faye have passed, their legacy—and most importantly, their beloved ice cream recipe—lives on. Today, the Kovener family proudly continues to own and operate the business, carrying forward the tradition that began over 75 years ago.

Kovener’s Korner has stayed true to its humble roots while growing to serve more of our community through multiple locations, a roaming ice cream truck, and full-service catering. Guests can enjoy a wide variety of classic ice cream flavors, as well as shakes, floats, and other delicious frozen desserts.

But we’re about more than just great ice cream. At Kovener’s, we’re proud to create a welcoming space where families, friends, and neighbors can make memories that last a lifetime.

We owe our continued success to the incredible people who’ve supported us through the decades—our loyal customers, hardworking employees of all ages, and the dedicated managers, past and present, who have helped shape who we are today.

A picture of the ice cream truck with customers A picture of the 2 current owners of the store A picture of the front of the store as it looks today

Community Involvement

Kovener’s Korner is forever grateful for the loyal support of our customers and community—we wouldn’t be here today without you. Your continued support inspires us to give back whenever we can. Through donations, sponsorships, charity fundraisers, and community events, we do our best to return some of the love, memories, and kindness you’ve shared with us over the years.

We’re also proud to provide work opportunities for dozens of Southern Indiana residents each year, helping them grow and develop lifelong skills for their future endeavors. It’s a gift to serve our community—and to grow alongside it.

Donations

Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to provide monetary support and donated items to a wide range of clubs and organizations across the Southern Indiana community. Some of the groups we’ve proudly supported include Anchor House, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts of America, Seymour High School Dance Marathon, Seymour Public Library, Trinity Lutheran High School, and many more.

If you believe a donation from Kovener’s Korner could benefit your organization or upcoming fundraising event, we’d love to hear from you.
Simply fill out this form on our Contact page.

Sponsorships

Kovener’s Korner has had the privilege of sponsoring both a Little League baseball team and a softball team. Whether it’s a win or a loss, we love supporting organizations that give kids a chance to have fun, stay active, and build lasting memories.

We’re always looking for new sponsorship opportunities—so if you’d like Kovener’s Korner on your team, we’d love to hear from you! And don’t forget to stop by after your game to celebrate with a cold treat!

Events

We love bringing the community together to share laughs, smiles, and stories by hosting a variety of events throughout the summer months. In the past, we’ve celebrated National Ice Cream Day with an ice cream eating contest as well as hosted a celebration for our 75th Season of Business, featuring live music from local musicians, multiple ice cream eating contests, and a silent auction.