Meadowlark Dairy Set to Expand with Livermore Location by Spring 2025

Livermore city officials have expressed enthusiasm about the addition. City Manager Marianna Marysheva highlighted the uniqueness Meadowlark Dairy brings:
"Meadowlark Dairy’s decision to open in Livermore is an exciting addition to our downtown. They’ll offer a unique experience for residents and visitors."

Assistant City Manager Stephanie Egidio added that initial efforts will focus on interior demolition and tenant improvements to enable a walk-in model as the primary operation.

Aiming for a Spring Opening

Takens aims to launch the Livermore location by early to mid-spring 2025, with April as a target. However, he acknowledged that construction timelines may shift. While the Pleasanton store features a drive-thru, plans for the Livermore location currently do not include this aspect due to downtown traffic concerns. Takens noted that the decision to add a drive-thru might be revisited in the future.

Addressing Demand and History

The expansion comes in response to the growing customer base at the Pleasanton store, which has seen increasing foot and vehicle traffic from across the Bay Area. Takens hopes the Livermore shop will ease congestion at the original West Neal Street location, reducing wait times for loyal customers.

“We bring a lot of people with our business,” Takens shared. “But at what expense? I sometimes see customers frustrated with the long lines, which is why we hope the new location will help even out the traffic.”

Livermore’s dairy heritage also played a role in the expansion decision. The city was historically home to several dairies, including the Holdener Dairy, which operated from 1931 to 1980. Takens views the new store as a nod to the region’s agricultural past:
"This used to be a normal thing. We’re excited to bring back a piece of Livermore’s history."

Maintaining the Meadowlark Legacy

As Meadowlark Dairy prepares for its next chapter, Takens is focused on ensuring the expansion preserves the charm and quality customers have come to love. While the Livermore location may not replicate every element of the original store, the goal remains the same: to provide the Tri-Valley and East Bay communities with a memorable and family-friendly ice cream experience.

With the spring 2025 opening on the horizon, Meadowlark Dairy is poised to cement its place as a cherished institution across the region.

Photo by Erika Alvero, pleasantonweekly.com