SACRAMENTO – Today Assemblyman Josh Hoover (R-Folsom) announced that Leatherby’s Family Creamery has been named the 2026 Small Business of the Year for the 7th Assembly District.
Since opening its first location on Arden Way in 1982, Leatherby’s Family Creamery has become a Sacramento-area institution known for its outstanding ice cream, family-centered values, and unwavering commitment to serving the community. What began as a three-generation family business inspired by the Leatherby family’s roots in Iowa has grown into one of the region’s most beloved and recognizable local businesses.
Founded by David “Daddy Dave” Leatherby, Sr., alongside his father Albert Leatherby and his son David Leatherby, Jr., Leatherby’s was built on a simple but powerful philosophy: treating people with kindness, generosity, and respect. Guided by those values, the Leatherby family transformed a local ice cream shop into a thriving business that continues to bring families together across the Sacramento region.
Today, Leatherby’s Family Creamery operates five locations throughout the greater Sacramento area and serves approximately 200,000 customers each month. Known for making its food and ice cream fresh daily using family recipes and high-quality ingredients, the business has earned a loyal following spanning generations of local families. Under the leadership of David Jr., Alan Leatherby, and the next generation of the family, Leatherby’s continues to grow while maintaining the same warmth and hospitality that defined the business from the beginning.
Beyond its success as a business, Leatherby’s has made an extraordinary impact through its community involvement and charitable giving. The company employs more than 500 young people and consistently supports local schools, sports teams, charities, clubs, and nonprofit organizations throughout the region. Through initiatives like the Daddy Dave’s Deeds of Excellence Program, Leatherby’s also helps recognize students who demonstrate outstanding character and leadership in their schools and communities.
“Leatherby’s Family Creamery exemplifies the very best of what a small business can be,” stated Assemblyman Hoover. “Their commitment to excellence, family values, community service, and local investment has strengthened the Sacramento region and positively impacted countless lives over the past four decades. I am proud to recognize Leatherby’s Family Creamery as the 2026 Small Business of the Year for the 7th Assembly District and look forward to seeing their continued success for many years to come.”
You can view all of their locations here.
Josh Hoover represents Assembly District 7, which includes the cities of Citrus Heights, Folsom, and Rancho Cordova and the unincorporated communities of Carmichael, Fair Oaks, FoothillFarms, Gold River, Mather, McClellan Park, North Highlands, Orangevale, and Rosemont.
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