menu

Family owned & operated since 1947

Spend a few hours on the farm, grab a rocking chair, get a scoop of homemade ice cream and enjoy time with family and friends.

about The cooleys

Our history

We farm for a living, but specialize in harvesting smiles!


Our History

Since then...

In the early 1900s, James' grandfather, Perry Cooley, purchased land to farm cotton in the upstate of SC. 

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2020

2013

Our History

In 1946, Perry Cooley offered the land to his son, Frank Eugene "Gene" Cooley, to farm peaches on. Since Gene had just returned from World War II, Perry agreed to furnish the land and purchase the trees if Gene would dig the 2,000 holes in the fertile South Carolina soil. 

Our History

Since then...

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

2020

Our History

Our History

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

By the mid 1950s, Gene’s brother, Ansel, joined him in the peach business and built a packing shed that they named "Cooley Brothers Peach Shed". The nearly 400 American flags that fly in the summer wind are a tribute to Gene and Ansel Cooley to commemorate their service in World War II.  

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

2020

Gene and his wife Janet had two children, Jeannie and James. The farm continued as Jeannie pursued her teaching career and James daydreamed at school about being at the farm. He spent his high school years waking up early and going to the packing shed to pack peaches before school and his summers plowing land and picking peaches, doing what he could to help out. 

Our History

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

2020

Our History

By 1978, James had graduated high school and was ready to join the family business full time! James met his wife, Kathi, during "Senior Week" at Myrtle Beach, marrying in 1979.

Our History

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

2020

Our History

James prayed for a son over the next 10 years, but ended up being blessed with 4 healthy daughters. Through years of losing peach crops due to cold weather, James knew he had to diversify the farm in order to put dinner on the table for his family.

Our History

2000

2001

2007

2008

1995

2013

1990

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

2020

2020

Our History

Over much consideration, he decided to clear some peach trees in 1995 and plant 6 acres of strawberry plants. It was a big chance to take, but he needed to make ends meet and thought it was worth a shot. Little did he know this was one of the most important decisions he would ever make in his life.

Our History

1990

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

2020

2000

2001

2007

2008

1995

2013

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

2020

2020

Our History

By the early 2000's, the name 

starting resonating with our new generation of customers. 

"Strawberry Hill U.S.A."

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

Our History

2000

2001

2007

2008

1995

2013

1990

2000

2001

2007

2008

1995

2020

2013

2020

Our History

In 2001, James built a restaurant on the farm that he named Strawberry Hill U.S.A. Café and
Ice-cream Parlor.

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

Our History

2000

2001

2007

2008

1995

2013

1990

2020

2020

Our History

In 2007, James and his Uncle Freddie Buckner added 36 acres of blackberries to the farm.

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

Our History

2000

2001

2007

2008

1995

2013

1990

2020

2020

Our History

In 2008, James added a second roadside market located off I-85 beside the Prime Outlet Mall in Gaffney, SC. Visit Strawberry Hill in Gaffney.

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

Our History

2000

2001

2007

2008

1995

2013

1990

2020

2020

Our History

James is selected as South Carolina state winner of the 2013 Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year award.

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

Farmer of the year article

Our History

2000

2001

2007

2008

1995

2013

1990

2020

2020

Our History

As of 2021, Strawberry Hill U.S.A. is now the largest strawberry farm in SC with 115 acres. Peaches are still our primary crop with close to 1,000 acres in production. We have also ventured into growing summer squash, cucumbers, cantaloupes, and beans.

James and Kathi Cooley now have 8 grandchildren who all adore the farm with hopes to carry on our family heritage.

1900

1946

1955

1960

1978

1980-1990

1995

2000

2001

2007

2008

2013

Our History

2000

2001

2007

2008

1995

2013

1990

2020

2020

Fall

Spring 

Summer

Pumpkins&
CORN MAZE 

Strawberries

Peaches &
BlackBerries

The Cafe & Ice Cream Parlor

CAFE

ICE CREAm PARLOR

ICE CREAm PARLOR

Our Café is open Year around! You are sure to experience a true southern breakfast with our "cat head" biscuits made fresh every morning, sausage gravy, grits, and eggs just how you like them.  

Since 2004 the Cooley Family has been churning fresh icecream with fruits straight from the farm.  

Our lunch menu is sure to get your mouth watering with hand-patted burgers and hotdogs that "fill the bun", as James Cooley likes to call them. We make our chili and slaw from scratch, and the sweet tea is always flowing.

Our Café is OPEN YEAR AROUND.! You are sure to experience a true southern breakfast with our "cat head" biscuits made fresh every morning, sausage gravy, grits, and eggs just how you like them.  Our lunch menu is sure to get your mouth watering with hand-patted burgers and hotdogs that "fill the bun", as James Cooley likes to call them. We make our chili and slaw from scratch, and the sweet tea is always flowing.

Ice Cream -
Fresh from the farm

Ice Cream - Fresh from the farm

Since 2004 the Cooley Family has been churning fresh icecream with fruits straight from the farm.  

The Cafe

CAFE HOURS: 6:00 am- 2:30 pm,
 Mon. - Sat.
(CAFE CLOSED SUNDAYS)

Breakfast served 6:00-10:30 AM &
Lunch 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Back to home

VIEW OUR MENU HERE

The Ice cream parlor

We offer 9 homemade flavors and 23 Hershey flavors!
View our ice-cream flavors below. We have a delicious variety of specialty desserts including milkshakes, banana splits, hot fudge sundaes, and root beer floats. We also offer SEASONAL strawberry shortcake, peach cobbler, or apple pie. 

winter hours
Mon.- sat.  11 am- 3 pm  
Closed sundays til spring 2024

Back to home

Strawberry*
Peach*
Butter Pecan
Chocolate
Chocolate Brownie

 

Strawberry Cheesecake*
Peach Cheesecake*
Plain ol' Cheesecake
Banana

 

HOMEMADE ICE CREAM
Flavors Include:
*Made from our fruit!

Superman
Orange Sherbet
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Birthday Cake
Black Cherry
Chocolate P-Butter
Praline Pecan
Road Runner Raspberry
White House Cherry
 

Moosetracks
Mint Chocolate Chip
Cotton Candy
Coconut Chocolate Almond
Cappuccino Crunch
Vanilla
Cookies & Cream
No Sugar-Added Strawberry
No Sugar-Added Butter Pecan


 

OTHER FLAVORS

Contact Us

Cafe & Ice Cream






Gaffney Roadside Market

  



The Shed at Cooley Farms 



cafe hours: MON. - SAT. 6 A.M. - 2:30 P.M. (cafe closed sundays)
Ice-cream: Mon.-Sat. 11 A.M. - 3 P.M.      

Message*

Email Address*

Last Name

First Name

Name*

Cafe & Ice Cream









Gaffney Roadside Market

  





The Shed at Cooley Farms 

 (864) 649-1414

OPEN YEAR AROUND! 
Mon.-Sat. 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. 
Sundays  1 - 6 P.M.

117 Nancy Creek Road, Gaffney, SC 29341

CLOSED FOR THE SEASON TIL SPRING 2024

(864) 461-7225

 (864) 461-4000

OPEN YEAR AROUND!
Café:
Mon.-Sat. 6 A.M. - 2:30 P.M. | Closed Sundays 
Ice-cream: Mon.- Sat. 11 A.M. - 3 P.M. 
*Closed Sundays til Spring  

3097 Hwy 11 W, Chesnee, SC 29323

3092 Hwy 11 West,  Chesnee, SC 29323

We'll be in touch soon!

Thank you!

join the Email list