memory lane submissions

Memory Lane Submissions

As a paperboy at the ripe age of 11 for the Chronicle in 1969 ...

My best friend, Greg Hardy (still to this day remember) and I observed to men, in the pre-dawn hours, throw several breaks though a jewelry store window on Piedmont Avenue. We called the police from Fentons (the janitor allowed us in to call since cell phones at the time were not even and IDEA) The janitor gave us ice cream afterwards. (There is nothing better - even coffee - than peppermint candy ice cream at 6 am on a Saturday Morning - aaaarrrgggh!) Since I am sure he has since retired, he also allowed me in many times thereafter.

Additionally, from birth, my grandmother, Alta, took me to Fentons at every opportunity - I believe I was literally "weaned" on Fentons. By the way, whatever happened to "LEMON FLAKE ICE CREAM"?

Additionally, as a tradition, Boy Scouts Troop 4 (my God I can believe I remember the Troop #) would venture to Fentons after our weekend camping sorties.

Thanks for the memories. Fentons is a landmark - the BEST is your "Black and Tan". Over the years, I have had hundreds of Black and Tans, literally.

Please do NOT change the OLD DECOR. That was the ambience.

Michael S. Smith

My Grandparents lived on Claremont Ave. We spent every summer there with them. My Dad used to go to Fentons all through school. He introduced us to Fentons as babies. All I remember is it was on what seemed to be a big hill to a little girl.

Every trip to Oakland, we were always on our best behavior, because the reward was a trip to Fentons. My personal favorite is swiss milk chocolate with jersy topping.. NO ONE IN THE WORLD HAS WHIPPED CREAM LIKE FENTONS

Today I am 52 years old, live in Salinas, Ca, and still consider one of the great pleasures in life to be a trip to Fentons..Hurry back..you are missed.

P.S. My daughter now lives in Alameda and has been introducing her friends to Fentons. The journey continues...

Melinda Messner-Rios

I used to visit your Piedmont Avenue location regularly during the early 80's- 90's with my kids, other family and co-workers. We went for the sheer joy of the hustle and bustle and happy faces of all the other
customers. My favorite was the grilled crab sandwich that you served,
and its what brought me to find your website.
I live now in Vancouver BC and have raved so much to friends here about your establishment and food that they said * okay..show us!* Of course to my dismay I read of the fire and subsequent closure of a huge landmark in Piedmont Avenue venues. I used to enjoy thinking of the sun filled days when the line-up outside meant a good hour to two hour wait, but the food and ice cream were so worth it. The walk up window on the outside and its own line!
Well I hope that you are able to re-open soon and that no one was hurt in the fire. It will be good to know that when reminiscing about a gustatory delight that the location again sits proudly in its heritage setting. If you share recipes I would love to have the one for the crabmeat sandwich so I can recreate a *Fenton's* menu with my friends here in BC.
Good luck in the renovations.
A customer for many many years,
Mary *Cait* Bellon

Hi Scott; I hope all is proceeding as you and the rest of us want.

I was first introduced to Fentons in the early 40’s by my father. Dad was a fireman in Oakland from 1934 until he retired in 1971 and Fentons became the “meeting place” for almost everything that could be construed as an occasion (like, “it’s time for a chocolate malt”).

The memories of riding the old Key System for The Fentons Experience are all wonderful and of course when I received my driver’s license and bought a car in 1955 the visit opportunities were expanded.

For years now, our eight children have continued the “meeting place” tradition and it won’t be long until our one year old grand daughter will put her stamp of approval on that portion of Piedmont Ave. I guess that adds up to four generations. Nostalgia is one thing, but what makes it special is the continuation of great ice cream sundaes, malts and of course those fabulous crab sandwiches.

We are all as anxious as you for the GRAND RE-OPENING!

Best regards, Jim MacMillan

I was out with my husband, then boyfriend, on what seemed like a normal evening out. We stopped in for a sandwich and sundae, and afterward started to go for a walk. He sat down on the bench outside and took out of his pocket a small black velvet box... you know the rest.

We married the next month. It might sound to simple to be romantic, but I love that moment; it was perfect for him and for us.

We look forward to sitting on "our" bench again on our anniversary and reminiscing about the many family events we remember celebrating at Fenton's.

Gina Hale


We were in such a mood for black and tans that we flew over to oakland this weekend just to go to fentons! imagine our disappointment when we drove up and saw the chain link around the parking lot and read the window. we have eaten black and tans there since 1972, the year we got married. after dental school we moved to mesa, arizona, and still would find excuses to fly back to the bay area for a fentons fix. i was so grumpy on the way home because i didn't get my black and tan that my husband wanted to throw me out of the airplane. we are looking forward to hearing about the rebuilding process and re-opening. sincerely, dr and mrs gary robison Mesa, AZ

Well we are sad you are closed! About 11 years ago when I met my now husband of 10, took me to a place in Oakland called Fentons. His parents use to drive him there about once a month as a child all of his life. My in-laws grew up in Oakland by the way. Well, I thought to myself why do they go to Oakland for ice cream? Well, not knowing anything, I went along. Well, let me tell you.....the first time I had a Black and Tan I about died. It was SO GOOD! From that point in 1991 we have continued to come for ice cream. We moved from Livermore to Antioch and still came out. I can remember bringing our children for their first sundaes at your Creamery. We have memories there. Well, last Christmas my daughter and I had a DATE to see the Nutcracker and go to Fentons. I always would tell my children it's the place where Grandma and Pappa would take Daddy when he was little. Well, much to my dismay, it was closed. I was so sad. We were so sad. We sure hope you open up again real soon. Good luck and God Bless your business.

Scott,
Well we are thrilled with your new web site -- dying, however, to have you open again! In the interm, the idea of purchasing ice cream is a great one and you can count on us for that one, but we are also interested in the toppings -- specifically, choco and carmel -- is it possible to purchase same? Please let us know asap and we shall place our order.

P.S. The new drawings for the building/landscaping are WONDERFUL!!!

Thanks again, K and N

I was so saddened by the news of your terrible fire! My sister gave me the news when it happened, and we have tried to keep up with your progress as the months have passed. Fenton's has been a fun part of my life since high school when my friends and I spent many a happy afternoon at your establishment.

Years later, when one of my sons was at Cal, Fenton's became a favorite of his. As a matter of fact; he (who is rather slight of build) won a contest among his buddies by eating an entire sundae that is meant to serve several people.

I have lived in Chicago for over 30 years now and I still never miss an opportunity to delight in your wonderful ice cream. Often a Fenton's stop is necessary directly from the airport!

My sister (who still lives in the Bay Area) and I kind of have a ritual when we are there. We both peruse the entire menu, discuss the relative merits of each of your offerings, and then she orders the black and tan, and I the black and white. Never varies.

Last year when I was ill my sister sent me a Fenton's tee shirt and a REAL menu, which, I understand, was not an easy thing to procure. She did it, though, with the blessings of the management. So, unless you will be open within the next week, my next visit home will be a Fentonless one.

Good luck--hope everything goes well for you.

Sincerely,

Diane O'Keefe

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