Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour is back! After a long delay and nearly a decade of waiting, the dessert shop returned to Orange County on Wednesday.
Take a look at the grand opening scene:
Video by Jonathan Khamis, OCRegister.com
Walking into Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour in Mission Viejo on Monday was like stepping back in time.
Everything from the Victorian red wall paper to the cheery-faced workers in cane hats to the mammoth-size desserts reminded me of the Farrell’s in Orange I used to visit as a kid.
But the biggest treat for me during my preview visit was the constant noise!
Every few minutes the famous Farrell’s siren would scream across the dining room. Drums would bang. Bells would clang. It was fantastic!
The ice cream shop opens Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Shops at Mission Viejo. The restaurant located near PF Chang’s at the mall.
Below are two videos I took from my visit: The first one is the Farrell’s Zoo dessert (five ice creams, three sherbets, five toppings, whipped cream, cherries, nuts and bananas) being delivered on a stretcher; the other video shows a customer being serenaded in the restaurant’s party room.
After a few minor delays, Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour will make its Orange County return Wednesday in Mission Viejo.
It’s been at least two decades since the last Farrell’s operated in Orange County. Anticipation for the opening of the old-fashioned soda fountain has been so high, it may be hard to get a table. Large parties have already booked reservations through mid-November, according to the restaurant’s answering machine.
Sorry folks, but you’ll have to wait a little longer before Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour returns to Orange County.
The owners informed me that the Oct. 28 grand-opening has been put off a few days. No word yet on the new opening date.
The restaurant was originally set to open Oct. 19 at the Shops at Mission Viejo. That date got moved back twice with Oct. 28 being the last date publicized by the ice cream parlour.
Farrell’s co-owner Mike Fleming said he should have a new opening date by Friday.
News flash:
Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour has pushed back its grand opening date in Mission Viejo. To learn more, read the update I just made to my previous Farrell’s story.
Updated 9/27 to reflect change in opening date, and new info on job hiring.
Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour has revealed date of its Orange County comeback.
The restaurant and ice cream shop will open Oct. 19 *Oct. 27 at The Shops at Mission Viejo. The chain will start accepting applications Tuesday, Sept. 29. (Read more about the Farrell’s job hiring at Handling Hard Times blog.)
The opening will mark the return of an old-fashioned ice cream shop that die-hard fans have missed for years. (Read fan comments)
In its heyday, Farrell’s operated more than 130 restaurants in the United States, including several in Orange County.
At the Mission Viejo Farrell’s, servers in cane hats and pin-striped vests will return — dishing out giant sundaes and banana splits. A modern player piano will set the musical tone.
Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour, known for its singing servers, will be holding auditions in late August for 90 or so positions. Read job details at Handling Hard Times - OCRegister.com.
Sounds fun, huh? Let us know if you plan to apply.
Mission Viejo planners gave Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour approval this week, setting the stage for the iconic chain to return to Orange County.
Laguna Niguel-based Parlour Enterprises has been working with the city since May to bring a Farrell’s to Orange County. The company has a location in Santa Clarita that was built in 2001 and opened in 2003. Read full story: Farrell’s ‘fantastic fountain fantasies’ coming soon - News - OCRegister.com.
Related stories:
Rumors have been floating for months about where Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour will land in Orange County.
Today, the wait is over. Farrell’s will make its O.C. comeback at… .(insert big Farrell’s drum gong here)
Wow. You guys sure love Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour. More than 100 comments over three days.
If you can’t wait until Farrell’s opens in Orange County, you can take a drive to Santa Clarita, where one still exists. In fact, that’s what KCBS did this week, when they learned that Farrell’s was planning to expand again in Southern California.
Take a look at the video clip, which includes sirens, a stretcher — and the big dessert many of you have been ranting about: the trough. (Click on image to see CBS news report on Farrell’s)
Original report: Farrell’s making comeback in California, and O.C.
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