By Clyde Noel
 Photo by Clyde Noel, Special to the Town Crier |
Town Crier Correspondent
David and Trina Morrow take over from longtime favorite Norman Chu
The scoop’s out. The Baskin-Robbins ice cream store has a new owner. After operating the fast-food franchise for 12 years, Norman Chu and his wife are now traveling and playing golf.
As of two weeks ago, the new owners are Trina and David Morrow. Both are former high-tech employees. David was vice president in a San Francisco startup.
“My parents owned three Baskin-Robbins stores in San Bruno, Pacifica and Oakland for more than 30 years,” Trina said. “I worked and managed the stores for 12 years.”
For the last 18 months, Trina has been a stay-at-home mom. When she found the Baskin-Robbins franchise was for sale she looked at the availability and along with her husband, they bought the family operation.
“This is a lot more fun than working in high-tech,” Trina said. “When kids push their faces up against the glass trying to tell you what they want - that’s eye-popping.”
“We were looking at other locations but we wanted this store because Los Altos has lots of families and more kids than other locations,” David said. “It’s a great place to do business.”
The Morrows are looking forward to summer when kids are out of school. Baskin-Robbins store hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Kids come in all day long, which accounts for the long hours.
“Ice cream is a quick emotional reward. The enthusiasm of the kids is fantastic. They know exactly what they want when they come in,” David said. “The kids have more sophisticated ice cream tastes. Their tastes are more creative than their parents’.”
Anyone who applies for a Baskin-Robbins franchise must attend six weeks of training. It includes how to scoop ice cream, how to make cakes, store management training and human resource studies.
“Baskin-Robbins is noted for their 31 flavors, but they have more than 700 flavors that are rotated seasonally,” Trina said. “Mint chocolate chip is the most requested in Los Altos, but nationwide it is pralines and cream.”
There is no baking or ice cream manufacturing on the premises, but a lot of cakes are decorated and assembled. Those are generally party foods and are custom ordered.
Tina said when young people come in an ice cream store they have a friendly attitude and they want a magical experience. Adults have childhood memories of the ice cream they experienced when they were younger, but today we have more flavors and they have to think about that.
“When people enter we ask what can I get for you,” David said. “When they hesitate, we ask would you like a taste of something.”
David reminds people of the Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake. “Traditional white birthday cakes are pretty boring. Scoop a little ice cream onto the plate and it’ll perk up a bit. Be cool, and bring a Baskin-Robbins ice cream cake to any party, and be the first one in line with a plastic fork.”
David said people knew Chu because he was here for more than 12 years and made a lot of friends among his customers.
“Our goal is to follow Norm’s approach and consider this a friendly place with good customer service.”
Baskin-Robbins is located at 264 State St., in Los Altos. For more information, call 941-5412.
