Gunther's Ice Cream is a historic ice cream shop at 2801 Franklin Blvd. in Sacramento, California. It was founded in 1940.[1]
History
editHerman “Pop” Gunther and his wife, Iva, founded Gunther's in 1940.[2] Ice cream is manufactured on-site, with new specialty flavors debuting monthly. The shop, originally located at Franklin Boulevard and 5th Street in Sacramento, moved to 2801 Franklin Blvd. in 1949, where it has existed ever since.[3] The building is considered a strong example of transitional architecture marking the period between Mid-century modern and post-World War II design.[4] The business's mascot is Jugglin' Joe, a soda jerk tossing a scoop of ice cream, portrayed in an animated neon sign atop Gunther's shop.[5][6]
Herman Gunther died in 1963, while his son, Dick Gunther, died in 1967.[7] Iva Gunther could not continue running the business subsequently, selling it to Carl Buchell the same year.[7] Since 1974, the business has been owned by Rick and Marlena Klopp; Rick had worked at Gunther's since 1969, when he was 22 years old.[3]
In 2010, Gunther's celebrated its 70th anniversary, with Mayor Kevin Johnson in attendance.[8]
In 2015, Business Insider listed Gunther's as the best ice cream shop in the state of California.[9] The same year, Gunther's celebrated its 75th anniversary, an event at which Mayor Kevin Johnson,[10] Supervisor Phil Serna, and Yuba City Director of Development Services Darin Gale spoke. The Sacramento River Cats' mascot, Dinger, was also present for the festivities.[11]
In 2018, Gunther's was nominated as a historical landmark.[12]
References
edit- ^ "The Sacramento Bee". Archived from the original on January 2, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ^ "Gunther's Ice Cream". January 30, 2015.
- ^ a b "Study: California's best ice cream shop is in Sacramento". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ^ Eventssacramento.granicus.com Archived November 11, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Gunther's | Sacramento, USA Restaurants".
- ^ "Gunthers Ice Cream | Jugglin Joe".
- ^ a b "Gunthers Ice Cream | History".
- ^ "Ice cream shops' sales stay solid". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
- ^ Stanger, Melissa. "The best ice cream shop in every state". Business Insider.
- ^ "SN&R • Dining • Food Stuff • Ice cream, get social • May 14, 2015". Sacramento News & Review. May 13, 2015.
- ^ Gunther's Ice Cream to celebrate 75th anniversaryvalcomnews.com Archived November 10, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Sweet New Historical Landmark? Gunther's Ice Cream Up For Special Designation". November 26, 2018.
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