70 Years of ice cream goodness at Gunther's

Looking for some good old fashion fun? I was last week, which was why I took a stroll down memory lane at Gunther’s Ice Cream Shop on Franklin Blvd in Sacramento. The shop has been a neighborhood icon for years and is celebrating its 70th anniversary on May 15 by offering a hotdog, a drink, chips and a scoop of ice cream for only $2.
Now that's a deal!

WHY PEOPLE LOVE GUNTHER'S ICE CREAM
Of course, while I was there having a scoop of chocolate I had to chat up a couple of the people to find out their secret of success.

“Gunther’s was the place to go in the neighborhood,” said Eva, a long time customer. “I remember after ballet class we would come here. You would see all the girls lined up in their tutus.”

Now, that's adorable, but Eva wasn't the only one in her family to go to Gunther's. Her 93-year-old grandmother also was a frequent visitor and has been going there for years. Eva says it's the place everyone in the neighborhood seems to go.

Gunther’s Quality Ice Cream Company was established in April 1940 and was owned and operated by Herman “Pop” Gunther and his wife, Iva. It was originally located on 5th Avenue and Franklin Blvd, but after the war in 1949, they opened a larger store in 1949 at its present location, on the corner of 3rd Avenue and Franklin Blvd

WHO IS JUGGLIN' JOE?
Jugglin' Joe was the first thing I saw when pulling up to Gunther's. It's this giant animated sign located on top of the building.

I was just lining up the shot with my iPhone camera when a customer yelled to me.

“You’ve got to see it at night,” he said. “There’s nothing like it.”

I did come back later, but my as you know, the iPhone camera doesn't have a flash (so hoping they add it to the next version) so the photo sucked. But now I was intrigued with this sign and the fame behind it. I simply had to get the inside scoop from the owner...and another scoop of ice cream.

“It was ‘Pop’ Gunther who designed the animated Jugglin’ Joe sign,” said Marlena Klopp, who now runs the shop with her husband Rick. “You wouldn’t believe how many people drop by to take pictures of it.”

According to Marlena, the sign is one of the few neon animated signs left in the city. Just like the taste of their homemade products, it has become one of things customers expect when they come.

There's even a tale to go with the sign. They say if you see Jugglin' Joe not catch the ice cream scoop, then you get a free cone. That has never happened, but it's not the chance to get a free cone that keeps people coming back -- it's the family atmosphere and the ice cream.

“I just dropped off one of my grandkids. I’m here for a little treat for me,” said Jackie, Gunther’s Ice Cream customer.

Jackie has been coming to Gunther’s for over 19 years. She doesn’t live in the Curtis Park area, but in another part of the city. She says her grandchildren live by Gunther’s and when visiting them, it gives her an excuse to drop in for a little something sweet.

“Sometimes they are with me, but today, it’s just treat time for me,” Jackie said.

You can’t blame her. The secret to Gunther’s good taste is high quality processing, combined with all natural ingredients and a rich cream.

For 70 years, they have been scooping up treats for the neighborhood and on Saturday May 15 they plan to celebrate in style by bringing back the 1940s. In addition to their $2 meal deal, they have a day of fun planned for people of all ages.

“There will be a barbershop quartet, swing dancers and a DJ playing 1940s songs,” said Marlena. “We’ll also have a juggler and face painting, temporary tattoos and balloons for the kids. They’ll be something for everyone.”

Gunther’s will also be paying tribute to all small businesses in the area – both new and old. They will be raffling off a Beach Comber bicycle and other prizes that were donated by local businesses in the area.

Gunther’s 70th Anniversary Celebration
Date: May 15, 2010
12 pm. To 4 p.m.
Check out my Gunther's slideshow on News10.net