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Allston Herrell's to rock on as indy Allston Cafe

The Globe covered the change-over as the Allston Herrell's at Brighton and Harvard Ave leaves the parent company to become an independent creamery.

It seems the Herrell's contract was going to squeeze down on the location's individuality and independent attitude that made it interesting:

Along the way, the managers had skirmishes with the corporate side, such as when it put the kibosh on the logo, which also featured a double entendre. “That was way too much for us,’’ Judith Herrell recalled.

And the music was an issue. ’’The lighter music you can still talk over - that gives you a lighter feeling, that reminds you of your childhood, that is better,’’ Judith Herrell said.

Some of the music in the Allston store has racy lyrics, she said. “I’m not a prude, but they make me blush.’’

In order to establish a branding that Herrell's will be able to expand outside of the state, they wanted to replace the punk rock novelty with teddy bears and funhouse mirrors for the kids. That didn't sit well for married owners Page Masse and Derek Brown. Nor did it work for the original owner Marc Cooper who still makes ice cream in Watertown for the Allston store and holds some of the store's licenses.

Personally, I like their spirit and think the area will benefit with having the attitude remain the same even if it loses the Herrell's name. I actually have never been into Herrell's, but now I might just go check out Allston Cafe.

Tasty, but dirty

By Vaughn K. | Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:07pm

The ice cream is always tasty, but compared to a JP Licks, that Herrell's always seems kind of grungy (not in a good way). Most ice cream business is local anyways, so I can't see that the name matters. The change from Emack to Select Cafe in Roslindale hasn't really changed that business at all, which is kind of too bad.

It's like Steve's all over again!

By adamg | Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:39pm

Oh, wait ...

But compared to JP Licks...

By People's Republican (not verified) | Tue, 06/23/2009 - 4:28pm

...you don't have to go to JP. Way better just because of that.

JP Licks

By Allstonian | Tue, 06/23/2009 - 6:44pm

You don't have to go to JP for JP Licks, either - they have shops in Brigham Circle, Coolidge Corner, and the Back Bay.

JP Licks also

By eeka | Tue, 06/23/2009 - 8:53pm

has locations in Davis Square, Harvard Square, Newton and West Roxbury.

http://1smootshort.blogspot.com

But the 'original' one is still the bestest

By adamg | Wed, 06/24/2009 - 8:12am

I mean, converted firehouse with a giant fiberglass cow head stuck on the facade, plus comfy chairs for snoozing/working in. Way better than the strip-mall ambiance over at the West Roxbury JP Licks (which actually is in a strip mall). And, to be honest, way better than the original JP Licks across the street (although, fortunately, the kidlet has long since outgrown the need for the kiddie corner since they've taken that out, alas).

Good for them, but...

By Stewart | Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:12pm

I like the overall feel of the place -- I once made the day, if not the week, of the person working the counter when I correctly identified the Poison Girls as the band she was playing on the stereo -- but the ice cream is so bad that I stopped going there years ago. If the same guy who had been making the ice cream for Herrell's is still making the ice cream, I'm not sure it's going to be any better.

What I like

By Kaz | Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:14pm

I like the fact that the first two responses are almost entirely opposite each other.

"Tastes good, place needs to clean up".
"Tastes bad, place is cool how it is".

Hehe, that just made my day.

Mud pie

By Will LaTulippe | Tue, 06/23/2009 - 3:37pm

When I ordered it there, I would call it "crack pie." They didn't have it last time. I hope these two developments are not related.

Worst. Sundae. Ever.

By Finn | Tue, 06/23/2009 - 7:33pm

Worst. Sundae. Ever.

Herrells Frappes...

By Pete Nice | Tue, 06/23/2009 - 10:24pm

are fantastic and better than JP Licks imo. And JP Licks isn't so clean all the time either I dont think.

ice cream brawl

By bostnkid | Wed, 06/24/2009 - 8:09am

this is the only ice cream shoppe where ive ever witnessed a fight. rock city baby.

Allston Cafe

By Chris D. (not verified) | Wed, 08/19/2009 - 9:18pm

good food, good sorbet, good coffee... but even better, one of the best random meeting places for active, engaged residents of Allston and Brighton... Derek and Page not only feed but support their community!

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