So I'm here at work this morning when one of the coordinators here showed me this coupon she was going to give to another guy who worked here. She said "Wanna hear a scream of joy, watch this." So I looked at the coupon, and to my complete dismay its a coupon for like $5 off at a FARRELL'S ICE CREAM PARLOUR! Now for those of you who have never heard of Farrell's, this will probably make no impression on you whatsoever, but for those of us who grew up with Farrell's and had many a birthday party there, I think its big news that one has opened up again. A while back I went searching online to find out if there were any Farrell's Ice Cream Parlours left, and discovered that there were not. It turned out they were founded by Bob Farrell, a legend in the customer service field and author of "Give Em the Pickle!" Evidently during the 70's he opened over 150 of these ice cream parlours and never once had one of them fail due to his understanding of customer service. Anyway, in the early 80s Hilton Hotels or something bought the chain from him and spent the next couple years basically running it into the ground. But there is still something of a cult following, although not much considering they all disappeared. The only one left was the original one up in Oregon, but that closed down a few years ago as well. So now that there is another one open, I am very excited, to say the least, cause I love nostalgic stuff like that. Well anyway this new one is located out in Santa Clarita, which is like 25 miles or so from here, and is out on the way to Vegas from here, so I am going to make a point to stop in there next time I go to Vegas and get me some ice cream and relive some childhood memories :-)
By the way, there also appears to maybe be one down in San Diego, although I'm not sure if its still in business or not. If you're at all curious or nostalgic about Farrell's like I am, this is a good page to check out.
Posted by Yams at December 13, 2002 11:27 AMVegas, baby, Vegas! You are so money and you don't even know it!
OK, enough of my Swingers quotes.
I believe the last time I was down at my mom's house and had to make the dreaded Target run I did see the Farrels there in the strip mall parking lot. When we moved to California from AZ in ...'78?, maybe...our next door neighbor worked at Farrell's and woudl bring us home a JUG of HOT FUDGE!!!! Oh my god, that stuff was awesome! I could have stayed a virgin if someone had waved a spoonful of that stuff at me when I was dropping my drawers....Mmmmmm!
I think I still have a few of those little plastic animals that you always got on the Zoo for your birthday! I also have to admit, I did get all the way through the Hog Trough once and then left my Mom to get the hullaballoo of the siren and presentation of the "I made a Hog of Myself at Farrell's" ribbon. I'm certain that she is still pissed at me 'til this day.
~P
Posted by: Pam at December 13, 2002 03:36 PMlol, I wish I had memories like that, but alas they went out of business when I was pretty young and I only have somewhat vague memories of the place. Still, what stands out most in my mind was that as a kid I remember it was my absolute favorite place in the world. That and Toys R' Us lol I can't wait till I go back :-)
Posted by: Will at December 13, 2002 11:49 PMYeah, well, you forget I am an old hag.... I spent many a sugar-rushing night there in my youth all the way through High School!
~P