Ice cream shop opens on McCray
During a week in which temperatures flirted with 100 degrees,
you would think the forecast would be a dream come true for an ice
cream shop owner.
Mohammed Alam, owner of the recently-opened Santa Barbara Ice
Cream parlor on McCray Street near Premiere Cinemas, thinks
differently.
Ice cream shop opens on McCray
During a week in which temperatures flirted with 100 degrees, you would think the forecast would be a dream come true for an ice cream shop owner.
Mohammed Alam, owner of the recently-opened Santa Barbara Ice Cream parlor on McCray Street near Premiere Cinemas, thinks differently.
“This kind of business is done with a lot of walk-in traffic,” he said as he stood behind the counter at the 950-square-foot corner shop, helping a customer who ordered – among all things – a cup of coffee. “Pleasant weather is the best. Instead of going directly to their cars when the weather is too hot or too cold, people stop in for some ice cream.”
Ice cream weather is surely on the way, so as Alam and his family prepare for an official grand opening, they have been welcoming customers to the store, which has been opened for just more than one month.
With 30 ice cream flavors on hand at a time and 24 displayed in the traditional cases, customers can choose from a variety of cool treats. Old standbys such as rocky road and chocolate mint chip are nestled among nonfat vanilla, sherbet, and Coconutty Professor – all by McConnell’s of Santa Barbara.
“Our ice cream is all naturally-made,” said Waleed Alam, Mohammed’s son. The Gavilan College student, who graduated from San Benito High School in 2008, also works behind the counter at the store.
A separate refrigerated case holds the “super premium” variety of McConnell’s, with the regular ice cream case holding the “premium” variety, Alam noted.
“All the ice cream that McConnell’s makes uses all-natural milk, nothing preserved,” Waleed Alam said. “All the coloring is natural and when you eat it, it’s so creamy. It tastes like real ice cream, not just like ice.”
The ice cream shop previously operated in the nearby Clocktower Plaza, but Alam said business wasn’t what he had hoped for. He was pleased when the former Premiere Cinemas building was transformed into office space.
“We waited three or four years for this to open,” Alam noted with a smile, pointing out the bright windows onto the busy parking lot of the new theater and nearby Pinnacle Health Care.
Asked what separates his store from other ice cream shops in town, Alam said, “We have a bigger parking lot, a better location and the best ice cream with low prices.”
Waleed Alam said his family is not done decorating yet, and that the store will soon have a “homey feeling; a very comfortable atmosphere.”
Not the traditional franchise, Alam’s Santa Barbara Ice Cream has a deal to sell McConnell’s but can also bring in other brands if the demand is there.
“We have an option to sell any good ice cream that people like,” he said. “We will always take customer suggestions.”
As with most new businesses, the Alam’s store is working out the kinks as it responds to its clientele’s wishes. The coffee machine will likely be replaced by an espresso machine, to go along with the cappuccino machine located behind the counter.
Pre-designed and made-to-order ice cream cakes are offered, along with sodas, energy drinks, and a variety of snacks.
Customers can get their ice cream in a cone, cup or waffle cone or have a smoother treat from the frozen yogurt machine. Toppings line the counter, ranging from M & M’s and Gummi Bears to sprinkles and candy pieces.
“We can make soft serve out of any ice cream” using an Electro Freeze machine, Alam said, and sundaes and banana splits can be created with any ice cream flavor.
Three round tables are available for customers who prefer to enjoy their ice cream in the shop near the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Santa Barbara Ice Cream is planning a promotion called “Baler Bailout Tuesday,” starting May 19. From 6 to 9 p.m., a scoop of ice cream will cost just $1.
The store is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, call 638-1377.
