Food and Beverage

The Sweet History of Thrifty Ice Cream: Why It’s Still a West Coast Favorite

Thrifty Ice Cream has been a West Coast favorite since 1929, known for its iconic cylindrical scoops, budget-friendly prices, and nostalgic flavors like Chocolate Malted Krunch. From its beginnings in Los Angeles drugstores to Rite Aid counters and now grocery shelves, Thrifty remains a sweet tradition nearly a century later. 🍦

Published

10 months ago

August 31, 2025

Charles Elliot

Last Updated on August 31, 2025 by Daily News Staff

Thrifty Ice Cream

For many West Coasters, the mere mention of Thrifty Ice Cream stirs up sweet memories—soda fountain counters, colorful scoops, and that oh-so-satisfying cylindrical shape. But Thrifty isn’t just nostalgia in a cone; it’s a brand with a rich history, consistent quality, and a surprisingly resilient future. Let’s dig into why this creamy California icon has been loved for nearly a century—and where you can still find it today.

A Brief History of Thrifty Ice Cream

The story begins in 1929, when brothers Harry and Robert Borun, along with their brother-in-law Norman Levin, founded Thrifty Drug Stores in Los Angeles. Times were tough during the Depression, so they lured customers in with a sweet deal: scoops of ice cream for just 5 cents. It was an instant hit.

By 1940, Thrifty was making its own ice cream in Hollywood. The brand quickly became famous for offering affordable, high-quality scoops that families could count on. As the drugstore chain expanded across California, Nevada, and Arizona, the ice cream counters grew right along with it.

In 1976, production moved to a bigger facility in El Monte, California—where ice cream is still churned out today. Employees there became part of the tradition, often staying for decades and even hand-signing cartons with their names.

When Rite Aid acquired Thrifty in 1996, they wisely kept the ice cream counters intact, ensuring that generations could still grab a scoop while running errands.

Thrifty Ice Cream

Why Thrifty Became So Popular

So what’s behind Thrifty’s enduring charm?

Affordability – From 5¢ scoops to today’s still-reasonable prices, Thrifty built its reputation as the treat anyone could afford. Consistency & Quality – The recipes have stood the test of time, with real milk, fruits, cookies, and chocolate. Thrifty has racked up 1,600+ medals at dairy competitions. That Famous Cylindrical Scoop – The flat-topped, cylinder-shaped scoop is as iconic as the ice cream itself. It’s neat, stackable, and instantly recognizable. (Yes, you can buy the scoop today!) Flavor Variety – From timeless classics like Mint Chip and Chocolate Malted Krunch to playful experiments like Sriracha Swirl, Thrifty knows how to keep things interesting. Nostalgia Factor – For Californians especially, it’s more than dessert—it’s a memory of childhood, family trips, and after-school indulgences. Convenience – Where else could you pick up prescriptions and grab a double scoop of Circus Animal Cookie ice cream?

The Challenges (and the Comeback)

Thrifty’s story hasn’t been all sprinkles and whipped cream. With Rite Aid’s bankruptcy filings and the closure of hundreds of its stores, many scoop counters disappeared in recent years. Fans began to worry: was this the end of Thrifty Ice Cream?

Fortunately, there’s good news. In mid-2025, Hilrod Holdings—run by the executives behind Monster Beverage—purchased Thrifty for about $19 million. Their goal? Preserve its heritage while expanding into new retail spaces, scoop shops, and maybe even wider national distribution. The scoop lives on!

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Where You Can Still Find Thrifty Ice Cream

Even with Rite Aid closures, you can still get your hands on this West Coast treasure:

Rite Aid Counters – Some locations still scoop it up, though they’re dwindling. Pre-Packaged in Grocers – Look for cartons or pints at Albertsons, Vons, Safeway, and select Rite Aids. Water n Ice Stores (Arizona) – In Tempe and across Phoenix, these shops are local go-tos for scoops and cartons of Thrifty. Independent Outlets – Some franchise scoop shops, even in Mexico, still carry it. Online & At Home – Buy a pint through Instacart or grab the iconic cylindrical scooper online and recreate the magic in your own kitchen. New Scoop Shops – Tucson, AZ is getting a Thrifty Ice Cream pop-up at the Tucson Mall in late 2025—a hopeful sign of more to come.

Final Scoop

Thrifty Ice Cream isn’t just dessert—it’s history, affordability, quality, and nostalgia all rolled into one. From its 5-cent beginnings during the Depression to its modern revival, it has remained a beloved part of West Coast culture.

Whether you’re chasing down Chocolate Malted Krunch, stacking up scoops of Rainbow Sherbet, or finally buying that famous cylindrical scooper, one thing’s for sure: Thrifty Ice Cream proves that the sweetest things in life really can last forever.

👉 Have you tried Thrifty lately? What’s your all-time favorite flavor? Share your memories in the comments—we’d love to hear your scoop!

Foodie News

Prioritize Brain Health with a Peanut-Packed Menu

Published

45 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Daily News Staff

Prioritize Brain Health with a Peanut-Packed Menu

(Feature Impact) A healthy brain goes beyond reading exercises and completing puzzles – it extends to the kitchen, too. Emerging nutritional science is clear that what people eat doesn’t just fuel the body; it shapes memory, mood and cognitive health.

Among the foods you can include in your diet to give your brain a boost are peanuts and peanut butter, staples valued not only for their convenience but also for their cognitive benefits. In fact, a study published in the “Journal of the Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease” found adults 60-80 years old who did not eat peanuts and peanut butter regularly were 30-50% more likely to perform poorly on tests measuring learning, memory, language, processing motor speed and attentiveness compared to those who did consumer peanuts and peanut butter.

It’s not just the older generation that can benefit. According to research published in “Clinical Nutrition,” a study of college students ages 18-33 showed consumption of peanuts and peanut butter was associated with improved memory function and decreased anxiety, depression and stress.

Consider this key information from the Georgia Peanut Commission before your next meal planning session.

Nutrients that Give the Brain a Boost

Despite their small stature, peanuts pack a nutrition punch. Their unique blend of various vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds includes:

Niacin, which can slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, according to the “Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry”
Vitamin E, found to promote healthy brain aging and delay cognitive decline
Resveratrol, believed to be beneficial in fighting against Alzheimer’s disease and other nerve degenerating diseases, per the “Journal of Biological Chemistry”
P-coumaric acid, an antioxidant that appears to target the neurotransmitters in the brain that regulate mood, stress and anxiety

Peace of MIND

Peanuts are included in the MIND diet, a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, which specifically includes foods shown to benefit the brain.

Adding peanuts to your menu can be a breeze. Look no further than a powerful main course like Crunchy and Creamy Cold Green Pea and Peanut Salad, a perfect accompaniment at potlucks and cookouts as an easy side or light main course. Make breakfast-on-the-go part of your daily commute with Flourless Blueberry Muffins that require just five ingredients, including creamy peanut butter, or add a pinch of protein to snack time with Protein Balls that can be refrigerated until hunger strikes.

Brain Food for Thought

Supporting your brain starts with the right nutrition, and evidence makes clear peanuts and peanut butter should be top-of-mind as you head to the grocery store. For help getting started, find more recipes and nutritional information by visiting GAPeanuts.com.

Flourless Blueberry Muffins

Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 12

2 bananas
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup blueberries

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease muffin pan.
In blender or food processor, combine bananas, peanut butter, eggs and baking powder; blend until smooth. Fold in blueberries by hand.
Pour mixture into muffin tin. Bake 12-15 minutes.
Store in airtight container up to 3 days.

Nutritional information per serving: 155 calories, 10 g carbohydrates, 31 mg cholesterol, 2 g saturated fat, 9 g unsaturated fat, 2 g fiber, 6 g protein, 98 mg sodium, 5 g sugar.

Crunchy and Creamy Cold Green Pea and Peanut Salad

Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 8

Dressing:

1/3 cup sour cream
1 1/2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar

Salad:

1 package (20 ounces) green peas, frozen
1 cup celery, chopped
1/3 cup red onions, chopped
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
6 slices thick cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 pinch salt, or to taste
1 pinch freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

To make dressing: In small mixing bowl, whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar and sugar.
To make salad: In large mixing bowl, combine frozen green peas, celery and onion. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Before serving, stir in roasted peanuts and crumbled bacon. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Nutritional information per serving: 230 calories, 17 g carbohydrates, 12 mg cholesterol, 3 g saturated fat, 9 g unsaturated fat, 5 g fiber, 11 g protein, 249 mg sodium, 6 g sugar, 1 g added sugar.

Protein Balls

Recipe courtesy of The Peanut Institute
Servings: 24

1 cup chunky peanut butter
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 cup honey
2 cups quick oats
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup dried, chopped cranberries
1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
1/4 cup water

Using stand mixer, combine peanut butter, vanilla, honey, quick oats, flaxseed, coconut, cranberries, salt and water; mix until well combined.
Form dough into 1-ounce portions and refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.

Nutritional information per serving: 130 calories, 7 g fat, 14 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein, 2 g fiber, 60 mg sodium. track

SOURCE:

Georgia Peanut Commission

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