If summer wasn’t summer without a burger and shake from Timp Freeze in Midway, then let the fry dipping begin.

Gary Coleman purchased the building from the Luke family last year and did a complete remodel. He reopened the popular restaurant last month.

Michael Henke, Midway City planner, said going to the Timp Freeze after school for a burger and ice cream cone was a “big thing” growing up.

“It’s been an institution for the city and the valley over here,” he said.

The Timp Freeze has been closed for several years, but Coleman said his family decided to reopen it when a son, Chad, decided to move back to Utah from Colorado.

The restaurant was supposed to be a father-son project, but then Chad died in February. He had battled cancer for 12 years.

“He had it behind him, but wound up with an infection it attacked his organs. It took 10 days and he was gone,” he said.

Chad’s widow and two children moved in with her family in Mapleton, and the family re-evaluated their plan. After a lot of discussion, all six remaining siblings decided they wanted to see the new Timp Freeze move forward.

“We’ll run it as a family corporation,” he said.

To add their mark, the Colemans are naming it Scrappy’s Timp Freeze.

Gary’s father-in-law ran Scrappy’s, a full service restaurant in nearby Charleston, for decades. It, too, has been closed for several years. To honor their grandfather, the children wanted to resurrect the name and have added a Scrappy’s Burger to the menu.

Other than that, and a new Philly Cheesesteak, the menu is the same as the original Timp Freeze.

“We’ve worked with and talked to the Luke family quite a bit,” Coleman said. “We had some of them through when we remodeled, and they’re pleased with what we’re doing.”

Diners can still get the famous Tiger Burger with two patties, and two slices of cheese, he said.

A small detail that people loved was a tiny toy animal on top of every ice cream cone. The Colemans have found those same plastic animals and do the same.

“It’s been really good; we’ve been busy. We didn’t really know what to expect but we’ve been packed every day,” he said. “We’re having a lot of fun, but it’s also a lot of hard work.”

24 East Main Street, Midway

Hours: 11:30 9 p.m.


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