Operating along Atchison Street in downtown Riverbank for more than 60 years, Sno-White Drive-In has definitely stood the test of time.

Owner Daryl Daniel and General Manager Myron Daniel recently had a ribbon cutting ceremony and a special gathering to mark the occasion.

“I’ve owned it since 1993 and my dad built it in 1963,” Daryl Daniel explained, adding that the original founder of Sno-White started the business in the early ‘50s and focused primarily on ice cream. The Riverbank Sno-White features a variety of food and drink items and specials in addition to the cool ice cream treats.

Daryl and younger brother Myron welcomed the community in for the celebration, which also included the presentation of a plaque by Riverbank Mayor Rachel Hernandez, some classic cars on display, plenty of music, food and fun.

“My dad built the one in Oakdale,” Daryl added, and then went on to build in multiple other locations around the state, from Taft to Bakersfield to Chico, Stockton and Modesto. “That’s what my dad did; he built almost 200 Sno-Whites in the ‘60s.”

He now lives in Palm Desert, Daryl said, and enjoys spending his time golfing.

Daryl owned and operated both the Oakdale and Riverbank locations for several years with a business partner and now owns just the Riverbank location.

He said the business has weathered everything from recessions to the pandemic but has continued to serve up food, ice cream and community spirit through it all. Daryl hosts weekly classic car gatherings during the warmer months, each Thursday evening from 4 p.m. to about 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., has sponsored local youth sports teams and also served for many years as a Chamber of Commerce ambassador.

“We’re pretty much open every day, from 10:30 a.m.to about nine-ish,” Daryl said. “We have an area to eat in and we also have outside seating.”

The local eatery employs about nine part-timers and Daryl said he “has a good group” to keep it all running smoothly.

He was pleased to have representatives of the Riverbank City Council and the Chamber of Commerce attend the ribbon cutting, and he was able to offer a few words to the crowd as part of the festivities.