BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Greta Anderson, the pioneering co-founder of Anderson's Frozen Custard, passed away last week at home in Amherst. She was 105.
Anderson founded her namesake restaurant with her late husband, Carl, in the Bronx in 1946. But the love from her hometown roots was calling, and a year later she brought the business back to her beloved Buffalo.
"My husband said life is too short to be away from family, so we're coming home," Greta Anderson told WKBW in February of last year as she celebrated her birthday 104.
The first Anderson's custard stand opened on Kenmore Avenue and moved to Sheridan Drive a few years later.
Greta’s daughter Holly Anderson now owns the 77-year-old family business founded by her parents.
She shared some of her favorite memories of working alongside her mother since she was 14.
“Mom and I were working for hours, and all of a sudden, I feel [her] elbow in my ribs,” Holly said. “She said ‘Holly, you’re not smiling.’ ‘Okay, really?’ and then I roll my eyes, and I smile, but that was her bottom line.”
Holly said that her mother’s smile will always be part of the business.
“Even to the end, she was gracious, and she was smiling.”
Monday, customers and co-workers expressed their gratitude for the time they spent alongside a local icon.
“I remember her family taking care of all of us as the lines grew,” said lifelong customer, Linda Horton. “She had a smile that just wouldn’t stop.”
“She was the sweetest most compassionate person ever,” said Sheridan Drive location manager, Cheryl Duguay “She was that one in a lifetime person you’d meet along the way.”
Holly announced that every year on Greta’s birthday, February 9, cones will be just $1.05 to celebrate the life and legacy of her mother for years to come.
In announcing the news of her passing on Facebook, Anderson's said Greta made her restaurants warm and welcoming places for both customers and employees.
Greta was an incredible inspiration to so many of us on the Anderson's team. We will carry her words of wisdom & reflect on her passionate heart. She was someone who could light up any room she entered. Her steadfast faith and encouragement she shared to us will not be forgotten. She was very grateful to all of our teammates for carrying on the mission at Anderson's.
Anytime she visited or met with our trainees, she always shared her gratefulness, thoughtfully gave advice and reminded us to keep smiling. "No matter what, just smile!"
Anderson's has since grown to six family-owned locations across Western New York and also operates a food truck. It has become a go-to place for countless Western New Yorkers - and ex-pats visiting home - looking to get their fix of beef on weck, hot dogs, frozen custard, ice cream sundaes and so much more.
She visited Anderson's locations this past February to celebrate her 105th birthday.
The Anderson family has always kept community close to their hearts, supporting charities such as Camp Good Days and Special Times and the Variety Club through the years.
"One thing we must remember, do unto others as they will do unto you," Anderson told us in 2022. "I am thankful. I'm thankful."
