Photograph by Lea Thompson
Grace Chien has run Mom's Ice Creamery and Grill , located in the Oaks Center, with her husband, Simon, for 10 years.
By NATASHA COLLINS
The old-fashioned mom-and-pop ice cream store with handmade malts and juicy burgers still exists in Cupertino at Mom's Ice Creamery and Grill in the Oaks shopping center.
Decorated with neon lighting, checkered flooring and large red booths, the restaurant caters to families, college students and anyone who enjoys a creamy scoop of ice cream. Patrons lined up 10 deep to place their orders on one recent weekday, and Grace and Simon Chien gladly served them with a smile.
"When people eat ice cream it makes them happy, which makes us happy," Simon said.
The Chiens moved to Sunnyvale 10 years ago and opened an ice cream store in Los Altos. They closed the Los Altos store five years ago, however, and moved their operation to Cupertino.The Chiens put $250,000 into renovating the Cupertino location and decided to put all their attention toward it.
"It was too much having both stores," Grace said. "We were running back and forth all the time."
Having been a chemist for 17 years, Simon was surprised to find himself in the ice cream business. After receiving a master's degree in chemistry, Simon had trouble finding a job. He had the opportunity to become part of the Carvell ice cream franchise back east and decided to take his chances in the business.
"It was at Carvell I learned about the ice cream business and have been doing it for the past 15 years," he said with a grin from ear to ear.
The only chemistry Simon does now is the mixing and configuring of his original-recipe ice creams. Although the Chiens no longer make their ice cream on the premises, they have continued to have their original recipes made elsewhere.
"After 15 years of making ice cream, we know what people like," Simon said. "I don't make a fortune, but I was able to raise a family and make other people happy. That is all I need."
Besides serving ice cream, malts and smoothies, the Chiens also offer a wide variety of hamburgers including garden burgers, tofu burgers, turkey burgers and salmon burgers. They also serve sandwiches, french fries and other side dishes.
"We have everything in one place," he said. "People come here because they know they can get dinner and have ice cream for dessert. They also know the food will be good."
Mom's Ice Creamery and Grill is located at 21267 Stevens Creek Blvd. in the Oaks shopping center. It is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, September 11, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.