The Davis brothers wanted to name their company something that shouted “quality” and also pay homage to their Welsh heritage.

One summer day in 1984, Tom was crossing Washington Blvd. in downtown Detroit when he was almost hit by a trolley! As he jumped back to safety, he read the name on the side of the car… Ashby & Whorten. “Ashby” was a classic Welsh surname and it rang as loud as the trolley’s warning bell in his mind. He liked it!

Now, what would make it shout quality? Webster’s Dictionary took care of that part. Sterling is “the measure of purity and quality.” Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream was born.

The brothers tasted and tested many formulas before selecting a recipe with the perfect proportion, 14% butterfat and 85% overrun. This recipe delivered the nostalgic taste and “old-fashioned” creaminess of the ice cream they grew up on in Detroit that was handcrafted with pride by family-owned parlors using only the best ingredients. It was then that the brothers knew they were on to something good!”