![Do You Remember Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour?](http://townsquare.media/site/45/files/2018/05/Ice-Cream.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Do You Remember Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour?
Do you remember Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour? What fun we used to have there.
The one I remember was by Woodland Mall. Were there others?
Remember the Siren and Fire Bell they would ring when someone ordered the Zoo, or finished a monster sundae? How much ice cream was in that trough anyway? It looked like a freezer full, for sure. Let me take you back to what it was like.
Good food, great ice cream and tons of fun.
Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour actually was started in Portland, Oregon, by Bob Farrell and Ken McCarthy in 1963. Farrell's became known for their offer of a free ice cream sundae to children on their birthday. The parlors had an early 1900s theme, with employees wearing period dress and straw boater hats, and each location featured a player piano.
In 1972, the Farrell's chain was purchased by the Marriott Corporation. By 1975, there were 120 Farrell's nationwide.
Thereafter, sales dropped and most of the parlors were sold off in the 1980s. In 1982, Marriott sold the chain to a group of private investors. Where have you heard that before? Sadly by 1990, almost all Farrell's locations had closed, including Grand Rapids.
All is not lost, however. It's a long trip, but there are 2-California locations, the only ones, still open, Brea and Buena Park.
More From 97.9 WGRD
![New Entertainment Center + Restaurant, Serving Gigantic Sundae Coming to Grand Rapids](http://townsquare.media/site/43/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-22T153730.934.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Restaurant, Ice Cream Shop Opens in Historic Ada Schoolhouse](http://townsquare.media/site/43/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-07-03T114856.177.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former John Ball Zoo Statue Finds New Home At Ice Cream Shop](http://townsquare.media/site/43/files/2024/07/attachment-charley-the-elephant-grand-rapids.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Michigan’s Best Ice Cream Shop Serves 160+ Flavors in Farm Setting](http://townsquare.media/site/43/files/2024/05/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-05-02T095550.234.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![When Do Grand Rapids Ice Cream Shops Open?](http://townsquare.media/site/43/files/2023/03/attachment-Untitled-design-2023-03-10T112903.958.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Beloved, Longtime West Michigan Ice Cream Shop Sold – Who Bought It?](http://townsquare.media/site/43/files/2024/02/attachment-Untitled-design-2024-02-15T155302.065.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Beloved West Michigan Ice Cream Shop Closing, Going Up For Sale](http://townsquare.media/site/43/files/2023/11/attachment-Untitled-design-2023-11-07T164755.478.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![National Survey Names This the Best Ice Cream Shop in Michigan](http://townsquare.media/site/43/files/2023/09/attachment-moom.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Live Your Best Barbie Life! The Barbie Truck Dreamhouse Living Tour is Coming to Grand Rapids](http://townsquare.media/site/43/files/2023/08/attachment-Untitled-design-36.jpg?w=980&q=75)