Business Spotlight

Linda LaZar

People have asked me why I live in the Glendale area, especially since

I have no family or relatives nearby. I realize I could find a community

where the cost of living is less, an area with fewer traffic problems,

more affordable housing, and a cooler climate. But I don’t think life is

about traffic and houses.

When it’s time to meet my maker, I don’t believe I’ll be reminiscing

about the freeway, or how many bathrooms were in my house. I think I’ll

be grateful for the people I spent my time with, the kind of people who

consider their community as part of their life. The same kind of people

who built this beautiful city we live and work in, and remain here to

continue the traditions and contributions.

I met a couple of those people the other day. It was at a new ice

cream store. I had been dieting for a few days, and felt like breaking

the diet for a dip of my favorite chocolate chip ice cream. I turned into

the driveway of the La Crescenta Baskin-Robbins 31 Flavors as I had done

many times over the past 15 years (my waistline proves it). I parked my

car and stepped into what suddenly felt like the Twilight Zone.

I found myself standing in Sweet Creams Ice Cream and Dessert Parlor.

Aahh!!! What happened to Baskin-Robbins? What did they do with my

chocolate chip ice cream?

I almost turned around to leave, why waste calories on unfamiliar ice

cream, right? But walking out without buying something would be rude, so

I decided to sacrifice my calories this one time.

After a few wishful inquiries as to when I could expect Baskin-Robbins

to return with my ice cream, I was handed a sample of Brazilian Coffee

Chip that, in my opinion, should forever remain as the Premium Line

ambassador to Sweet Creams. It tasted like coffee-flavored sweet butter

with chocolate chips.

I had found my new favorite ice cream.

Right away I wanted to start writing about this new and amazing ice

cream parlor. Everyone should know about Sweet Creams. So I ventured out

to interview the new owner. Interesting thing -- there’s not a new owner.

Just a new ice cream.

It seems that when owners Wayne and Danna Holmes prepared to renew the

lease on their 36-year Baskin-Robbins contract, they found that the

company would not be renewing. Some sort of company downsizing was

responsible for the change, and the Holmeses had no choice in the matter.

Thirty-six years ago, at the age of 21, Wayne Holmes was the youngest

person in Baskin-Robbins’ history to own his own store. The Holmeses

eventually acquired four stores. Their life was all about ice cream.

Their four children were known for wearing the family’s traditional

number 31 on their sports jerseys while playing community team sports.

The family has always supported local organizations and events by

donating cakes and coupons. Danna Holmes remains active in the Assistance

League of Glendale, a respected community organization that raises money

to provide clothes for underprivileged children and various programs such

as reading.

Wayne and Danna had spent their entire life dipping ice cream for the

community, with a lifetime of treasured memories. So when faced with the

loss of their family business, they decided to find a new ice cream.

Sweet Creams features McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams of Santa Barbara.

McConnell’s ice cream is sold in prepacked pints at selected

supermarkets, but the three Sweet Creams locations here in the Glendale

area are the first and only dipping stores outside of Santa Barbara. The

ice cream is always fresh and is delivered every couple of days from

Santa Barbara. Sweet Creams works with McConnell’s suggesting new flavors

such as Grand Slam Base Ball and Root Beer Float. They pass on

suggestions and recommendations from their customers to the ice cream

makers.

A new waffle cone maker and a “Flavor Creator” machine will be added

to Sweet Creams within the next few days. The Flavor Creator offers

customers the opportunity to create their own fruit, cookie and candy ice

cream and yogurt flavors.

o7 Speaking of flavors, I recommend that you try the Chocolate

Raspberry Truffle ice cream. I haven’t tried all the flavors (it’s

difficult for me to get past the Brazilian Coffee Chip), but the Green

Tea, Island Coconut, and the nonfat Raspberry Sorbet are highly

recommended. Sugar free ice cream is also available, and the premium ice

creams are made with all natural ingredients -- no additives or

preservatives.

Ice Cream pies and cakes are available and can be custom ordered. I

especially like the new photo cake. You can bring in your favorite photo

and Sweet Creams can enlarge and reproduce an edible image to decorate

the cake. It’s amazing.

f7 There are three Sweet Creams nearby: 2064 Verdugo Blvd. in

Montrose, 249-3131; 3458 Foothill Blvd. in La Crescenta, 957-3131; and

633 Foothill Blvd. in La Canada Flintridge, 952-3131. They are open 11

a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

* Linda LaZar writes about local businesses every Friday. You can

reach her by writing the News-Press or via e-mail at LaZarLinda@aol.com.