California ice cream shop closes after 33-year run with same family owners: ‘Lots of emotions’

A California ice cream shop is facing a “bittersweet” ending.

Fosters Freeze in Livermore is permanently closing after 33 years of being run by the same family, the shop announced this week. The Bay Area shop will serve its last scoop on Sunday as its owners prepare for retirement.

All items are offered buy one, get one free until the store’s closure.

“It’s my parents’ place, and they are getting to retirement age,” Vy Nguyen, the restaurant’s manager, told the Mercury News. “It’s just time. And for us kids, we have our own jobs and everything.”

Fosters Freeze was founded by George Foster in 1946 as a soft-serve stand in Inglewood. Eighty years later, the chain has over 50 locations across California, and three in Georgia.

The chain’s options go beyond ice cream, serving burgers, hot dogs, chicken strips, burritos, milkshakes, and more.

The Livermore location dates back to 1955. Nguyen’s parents took over the shop in 1993, and remodeled the location in the 2000s, adding new seating and air conditioning.

Fans shared memories of the family-owned shop on social media.

“I’m so saddened to hear! Thank you for the many years of dipped ice cream cones as we traveled with family,” one commenter wrote.

“You’re going to be missed. Congratulations on retirement,” a second commenter wrote.

“So sorry to see you go,” a third said.

Nguyen says she’s unsure what business will take over the location.

“It’s bittersweet – there are lots of emotions this week,” Nguyen told the Mercury News. “Even my oldest daughter worked here for a couple of summers, too. It’s been a couple of generations for us.”

“We just want to thank Livermore for all their support these past 33 years,” Nguyen continued. “We’ve really enjoyed serving the community and making friends, seeing kids grow up and come back.”

Fosters still has several Bay Area locations including outposts in Berkeley, Danville, Campbell and San Jose. The chain also has 16 locations across Southern California, including in Inglewood, Burbank and San Diego.

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