Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour returning
"Blow the kazoos, bang the drums and sound the sirens — Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour is coming back to Hawai'i.
The popular family restaurant chain that established a stronghold in the Islands during the 1970s before teetering on extinction by 1990 is returning with all its bells and whistles, candy store and birthday sundaes delivered with fanfare."
-Excerpt from the Honolulu Advertiser 11/11/05
Read the full article here.
This is exciting news for those of you who have not experienced a birthday at Farrell's before. Call me nostalgic, but all my most memorable birthdays (when I was younger, of course) were celebrated at Farrell's.
Interesting. we used to have a Farrell's here in Daly City and although I've never my own birthday there, I used to attend many. Was the birthday ritual the same? Where they brought out the big drum and banged on it, whilst someone else carried out your sundae, and they all sang Happy Birthday.
Posted by: Dina | November 11, 2005 at 08:15 PM
Hi Reid - Looks like many great memories will be re-lived soon!
Posted by: Kirk | November 11, 2005 at 09:59 PM
Yay! I used to love ordering there chocolate coke!
Posted by: Trisha | November 12, 2005 at 01:05 PM
Another reason to visit Hawaii! I love Farrell's. I spent a lot of time at them until they all disappeared.
Posted by: Mariko | November 12, 2005 at 04:31 PM
Hi Dina,
Thank you for stopping by the blog.
Yes, I believe the ritual was the same. I used to have the zoo sundaes. The sirens used to go off, the guys used to run up and down the aisles, then they would stop at your table and sing quite loudly. I was always embarrassed. *blush*
Hi Kirk,
Definitely. I'm going to see if I can eat the whole zoo sundae by myself without getting sick.
Think I can do it? =)
Hi Trisha,
YAY! I remember that. I think I liked vanilla better though....
Hi Mariko,
I used to go to many birthdays there until they disappeared. Now a whole new generation will be able to enjoy them just as much as I have!
Posted by: Reid | November 13, 2005 at 09:59 PM
Hi Reid - I'd pay to see you try and eat a whole Zoo - I'd even fly down!!! :p
Posted by: Kirk | November 14, 2005 at 08:34 AM
Hi Kirk,
How much notice did you need to book your flight? =P
Posted by: Reid | November 16, 2005 at 08:48 PM
Sadly, one of the remaining two Mainland Farrell's closed yesterday (7/31/06) at Mira Mesa, a San Diego suburb some 15 miles north of the city.
The Ortman family operated the Farrell's franchise in San Diego and Imperial County area continuously since 1968 (that's some 14,077 consecutive days). At one time, there were 8 stores operated by the Ortman's in the region.
The last remaining Farrell's on the Mainland is in Santa Clarita, CA.
Posted by: Jon | August 01, 2006 at 08:55 AM
I can remember going to Farrell's when I was a kid for my birthday.. It was so cool.. I mean can you imagine a 6 or 7 yr old getting the "pig trough" and eating the whole thing and everyone coming out clapping singing and yelling blowing whistles and giving you a big pig button.. where have all the fun times like that gone and why can't we get one back here in Kentucky... Sure would love to see one in my hometown of Hopkinsville Kentucky.. I think the families here would have just as much fun as I did when I was a kid.. and ohhhhhhh the yards and yards of taffy from the taffy pulling machine.. it was wonderful...
Jessica
Posted by: Jessica | August 27, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Settle a bet...Farrells zoo sundae 11 scoops or 40 scoops. My next door neighbor and drinking partner has bet me a night out. No way can it be 40! Back in the 60s that would have been way too huge! Settle it for us please!
Posted by: Marci Martin | June 26, 2007 at 05:54 PM