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# Retro Restaurant Returns
Farrell's Ice Cream Parlours Are Back!

By Katie Cordrey | Published 2009-10-04 | Lifestyle
Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farrells-ice-cream-parlour
References: [farrellsusa](http://www.farrellsusa.com/index.php) & [yelp](http://www.yelp.com/biz/farrells-ice-cream-parlour-and-restaurant-san-diego)

If you’re old enough to remember Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlours, you no doubt delighted in the colors, the candy, and the noise that accompanied decant desserts like the [Portland Zoo](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lavender-cheese) or the Pig Trough. (See the video above if you aren’t familiar with these tasty treats.) You also probably felt sadness when Farrell’s closed and thought that they were no more than a [nostalgic memory](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/super-fun-times) to be filed with the demise of the Beatles or the death of Elvis.

But hold on! Farrell’s is back!

Already open in 2 Hawaii locations and at an experimental Santa Clarita location in Southern California, a full-fledged, historically recreated Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour is set to open in Mission Viejo this month.

Farrell’s originated in Portland, Oregon in 1963 and grew to 60 successful locations mostly in the west before it was purchased by east-coast-based [Marriott Corp.](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marriott-bonvoy-x-pati-jinich) who expanded in the east for a total of 132 locations. Originator, Bob Farrell withdrew from his consulting role and Farrell’s was sold to a San Francisco company that thought Farrell’s should be more mainstream. They kept the menu, but removed the fun. By the late 1980s, Farrell’s folded.

## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter)

- Score: 5.2/10
- Popularity: 54% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8%
- Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women
- Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial
- Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia

## Categories

[Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food)

## Key Themes

### What Makes This Trend Stand Out

- **Nostalgia Dining:** Opportunity to capitalize on past trends by recreating beloved dining experiences from a bygone era.
- **Historical Recreation:** Creating an immersive and authentic experience by recreating a historical brand or location can attract customers looking for a unique dining experience.
- **Regional Cuisine Expansion:** Expanding a regional cuisine to new locations can introduce new markets to local favorites and create growth opportunities for a successful brand.

### Sectors Adopting This

- **Restaurant Industry:** The restaurant industry can take advantage of the recent trend of nostalgia dining by recreating beloved brands and dining experiences of the past.
- **Hospitality Industry:** The hospitality industry can enhance guest experiences by offering historically recreated dining options at hotels and resorts.
- **Food and Beverage Industry:** The food and beverage industry can capitalize on the popularity of regional cuisine by expanding successful brands to new markets while maintaining the regional identity and authenticity.

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