There’s a moment every July when West Sacramento collectively holds its breath. It’s not about the heat or the fireworks or even the arrival of the A’s at Sutter Health Park. It’s about peaches—specifically, the peach milkshakes at Whitey’s Jolly Kone, a 400-square-foot yellow-and-white building that’s been serving them since 1963.
Whitey’s Jolly Kone isn’t just another drive-in. It’s a three-generation family legacy that somehow managed to survive when so many others didn’t. Founder Emile“Whitey”Boisclair built the place himself after vertigo ended his sheet metal work career. He left behind a business so beloved that when his grandchildren Kevin Ericson and Jennifer Havson took it over in 2023 (after their parents Paula and Steve Ericson ran it for decades), they discovered something unexpected: despite having their own careers in fashion and healthcare, they couldn’t walk away. The COVID-19 pandemic brought them home, they set up a car hop system just to help their parents, and the community response was so overwhelming they realized this wasn’t just nostalgia—it was sacred.
What makes the peach shake phenomenon work is beautifully simple. Kevin Ericson recalls his grandfather hand-peeling and dicing every single peach. These days, they’re processing thousands of cases each summer, but the principle remains: Crystal Creamery soft serve combined with freestone peaches from J&J Ramos, sourced fresh three times a week from the farmers market. The shakes are only available during peak peach season—typically around July 4 through Labor Day—which is exactly why people start calling in June, desperate for their return.
The new ownership has made strategic tweaks without losing what made Whitey’s special. They added a beer and wine license in early 2025, partnered with local breweries like Jackrabbit and Bike Dog, and opened a second concept called Emile’s Cafe down the street. But the original building? Untouched. Kevin Ericson put it plainly: renovating would require tearing it down, and that would destroy something indefinable. The prices remain ridiculous by today’s standards—$4.50 for a Deluxe Burger, $7.65 for their signature Whitey’s Special with double patties and bacon, $8.25 for a small peach shake.
The story gets even better: Emile Boisclair, who was a fierce advocate for West Sacramento youth programs, now has an entire park named after him just half a mile away. His grandchildren are keeping his vision alive while expanding it—and every summer, lines of teenagers, construction workers, and kids prove that some things don’t need reinvention. They just need to be remembered.
This is what matters in a neighborhood. This is what lasts.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
