Bygone High's Ice Cream, Atlantic Avenue.

High's was a regional ice cream chain that began nearing extinction in the late '90s. It was founded in the 1930s, & for a chain that thrived & survived for 70 years, there isn't much info left to honor it.

I worked for High's for about 6 months as a young guy. I didn't mind travelling around Hampton Roads, so I worked @ Tidewater Drive, the shop they had downstairs in the original Waterside, and the Great Neck location (near Y-Not Pizza). And as a younger kid I was an occasional customer at their Princess Anne Plaza & Kempsville locations. The building that used to house their Kempsville shop has completely vanished (5129 Princess Anne Rd, near Withduck). I was a bigger fan of High's before I became an employee, but that's a typical experience, after seeing behind the proverbial (food service) curtain.

In 2006 The Virginian Pilot ran a brief article on what sounded like the last High's (in Portsmouth).. not sure if it's still operating.

It's regrettable seeing a popular, local business go under.. Their banana ice cream was good as Hell too.

contact- nat.rain@gmail.com