Remember This ’60s Ice Cream Parlor That Used to Be a Mall Favorite?
Remember when getting ice cream at the mall meant ringing bells, beating drums, and watching employees parade around with enormous sundaes? That was the magic of Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor, a once-popular American restaurant chain founded in Portland, Oregon, in 1963. The business expanded to more than 100 locations before eventually disappearing, with its final restaurant closing in Brea, California, in June 2019.
For generations of shoppers, Farrell’s offered something beyond an ordinary ice cream stop. Its oversized desserts, vintage uniforms, birthday celebrations, and theatrical service turned a simple outing into an event. And while the restaurants are gone, their story offers a fascinating look at American mall culture and why memorable dining experiences still matter.
It All Started With a Simple Idea in 1963
Bob Farrell and Ken McCarthy opened the original Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor in Portland, Oregon, on September 13, 1963.
Farrell wanted to recreate the traditional ice cream shops he remembered from growing up in New York. Rather than follow contemporary restaurant trends, the partners created an old-fashioned atmosphere inspired by American ice cream parlors of the late 1800s.
In a 2004 interview published by OnMilwaukee, Farrell recalled that the first restaurant became so busy the staff ran out of several ingredients.
The concept quickly caught on. What began as one Portland restaurant developed into a recognizable American dining chain, eventually spreading into shopping centers across the country.
How Farrell’s Became a Familiar Mall Destination
The shopping mall experience helped introduce Farrell’s to families in different American communities.
In Wichita, Kansas, Farrell’s opened at Towne East Square in 1975. The restaurant occupied space near the mall’s main eastern entrance and could seat approximately 150 customers.
According to The Wichita Eagle, this restaurant was the chain’s 105th location. During its first two weeks, the Wichita location reportedly recorded higher sales than any other Farrell’s restaurant nationwide.
Wisconsin shoppers also had their own Farrell’s destinations at Milwaukee-area Northridge and Southridge malls.
These locations demonstrate how a restaurant could become part of a community’s shopping memories. Farrell’s was more than a counter where customers purchased ice cream. Its elaborate dining experience gave families another reason to visit the mall.
The Giant Sundaes Were the Main Attraction
Farrell’s Zoo was among the restaurant’s most memorable creations.
The dessert was enormous. The Wichita location’s version reportedly contained 8.5 pounds of ice cream and required two employees to carry it to the table.
Then there was the famous Pig’s Trough, an oversized ice cream creation served in a trough-shaped dish.
Another popular choice, the Gibson Girl, combined ice cream, sherbet, and several toppings.
These desserts became especially memorable because of how they arrived. Employees sometimes accompanied orders with drums, sirens, and bells, turning dessert service into a restaurant-wide spectacle.
Today’s oversized dessert presentations may seem familiar, but Farrell’s was delivering this kind of theatrical service decades ago.
Birthday Parties Came With Their Own Show
Farrell’s birthday celebrations were another major attraction, particularly for children.
Birthday celebrants could expect enthusiastic singing, special announcements, and plenty of employee attention. Children also received a complimentary birthday sundae, following the restaurant’s original tradition.
In his 2004 OnMilwaukee interview, founder Bob Farrell explained his approach to younger guests:
“We treated kids like our best adult customers.”
That philosophy set the business apart from conventional restaurants.
Former customers and employees have continued recounting their birthday memories in local publications. Some remember the excitement of the celebrations, while others recall being surprised by just how much attention the restaurant gave them.
The Restaurant Offered More Than Ice Cream
The complete dining experience also included ordinary meals, colorful decorations, and an old-fashioned candy counter.
Farrell’s served hamburgers, sandwiches, salads, and other restaurant favorites alongside its elaborate desserts.
Inside, customers encountered vintage-inspired furnishings, Tiffany-style lamps, and player pianos. Employees wore traditional soda-fountain uniforms, including distinctive hats.
Menus were even designed to resemble old newspapers.
The candy counter added another attraction, displaying sweets such as giant jawbreakers and lollipops.
These details gave Farrell’s a recognizable identity. Customers weren’t simply choosing from a dessert menu. They visited a themed restaurant built around entertainment and nostalgia.
Related: 6 Tiny Restaurant Touches That Are Quietly Winning Over Diners and Making Every Visit Feel Personal
What Happened to the Once-Popular Chain?
Farrell’s declined after years of rapid expansion and ownership changes.
Marriott Corporation purchased the business in 1972, when it already operated more than 50 restaurants.
The company continued expanding, including into shopping centers. However, sales eventually declined as the operation changed.
A 2015 Los Angeles Times report described how changes to the chain’s original entertainment-focused atmosphere contributed to its troubles.
Farrell expressed disappointment with the direction of the business, saying:
“They took out everything I thought was important.”
Marriott sold the chain to investors in 1982, and most original locations eventually disappeared.
A revival began in 2009, with new restaurants opening in California. The chain also appeared on CNBC’s The Profit in 2016 as investors attempted another turnaround.
Unfortunately, those efforts did not produce a lasting recovery. The remaining Brea restaurant closed in June 2019, ending the chain’s run
Why Farrell’s Still Matters to American Shoppers
Family entertainment and dining continue to shape how Americans use shopping centers.
An August 2026 report from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) surveyed 1,004 U.S. parents and guardians with children ages 3 to 16.
Among respondents who visited retail destinations with their children, 57% said they were likely to spend money on dining and treats. The survey also found that 86% said family-friendly experiences had a major or moderate influence on their shopping destination choices.
ICSC President and CEO Tom McGee emphasized that families seek destinations offering both everyday shopping and opportunities to spend time together.
That doesn’t mean Farrell’s particular business model would succeed today. However, the findings highlight continued consumer interest in the shopping, dining, and entertainment mix that defined its original appeal.
Where Can Former Customers Revisit the Memories?
Historic photographs and newspaper archives now offer some of the best opportunities to revisit Farrell’s.
The Wichita Eagle’s 2024 retrospective includes historical photographs and details about the restaurant’s days at Towne East Square.
Milwaukee residents can also find memories of the chain through OnMilwaukee’s historical coverage, including interviews with former employees and founder Bob Farrell.
For longtime customers, those records provide reminders of the enormous sundaes, elaborate birthday parties, and unmistakable atmosphere that made Farrell’s stand out.
Although the restaurant itself is gone, its history remains part of America’s shopping mall story.
Did your local mall have a Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor, and which dessert or birthday celebration do you remember most?
Related: The 5 Best Ice Cream Flavors You Must Try
