You know you love it. You know you want some. So why try resisting it? It's Ice Cream! And it's there to be enjoyed and savored and consumed. The people at the legendary and historic Fenton's Creamery in Oakland, California know this and have made a thriving business out of it for almost 90 years.
Located on Piedmont Avenue (a few blocks from the Kaiser Medical Center on MacArthur), the Fenton's story began back in 1894 when Elbridge Seth Fenton used to deliver dairy products to the Piedmont Avenue section of Oakland. The family opened the Creamery and Soda Shop in 1922 and since then it has grown to a full restaurant with two other locations (at the Oakland Airport and in Vacaville, CA). The Piedmont Avenue location has become practically an honorary historical landmark. It has become a hub for families, tourists, Oakland natives, Cal Berkeley students and more. It was even featured in the Disney/PIXAR hit Up in 2009 and gained a whole new generation of fans. A visit to Oakland would not be complete without a visit to Fenton's.
I remember the first time my Grandparents (who lived in Oakland their entire 61 year marriage!) took my brother and me to Fenton's. First of all, we were going to get Ice Cream, which is enough to get any child into a frenzy of delight. Second, the joy we felt as we were served our (rather large!) portions of ice cream and we began tasting each other's choices was something you cannot buy nor duplicate. All of my visits to Fenton's since (which, I will admit, have not been as many as I would like!) have not been the same, yet have still been quite as enjoyable because just being in that neighborhood and in that building brings back a kind of nostalgic high we all strive to hold on to. Fenton's is truly one of California's GOLDEN PLACES and will always hold a special place in my heart and the hearts of my family.
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