Coaches Ice Cream continues through COVID-19
Coaches, an old fashioned ice cream parlor on Kimber Drive, is one of the many local businesses open during the COVID-19 crisis. The parlor first opened in May 2019 and is known for its baseball themed interior and friendly service. As an essential business according to state guidelines, the shop has continued to serve customers through the pandemic.
Eric Robertson, senior, is one of several Coach employees in high school. He says that Coaches has increased safety measures to ensure the safety of its employees and customers alike. “We only have one employee at a time and whenever we are helping a customer we are using gloves and in our free time sanitizing everything around the store to prevent any spread of the virus,” Robertson said.
Before the stay at home orders, Elizabeth Stark, sophomore, went to Coaches often to hang out and enjoy the ice cream and atmosphere. “All of the staff is really nice and easy to talk to and a lot of them are from NPHS so i sometimes see familiar faces,” Stark said. “Their ice cream is delicious and I love going there when I get the chance.”
Robertson believes that working at Coaches during the pandemic changed the ambiance of the store. “I liked talking to the customers and having people come in and sit down while they enjoy ice cream, but now we can’t do that,” Robertson said. “The atmosphere is just a lot different.”
Derek Rivera, senior and another employee at Coaches, feels that the best part about parlor is the customer service. ”Everyone that works at Coaches is in their teens who are all great kids who are also involved with sports and Newbury Park High school,” Rivera said. “Another good part about Coaches is that it’s a family owned business that supplies a place for family and friends to hang out and enjoy some premium ice cream.”
For those interested in coming into the store to support, each employee has their own favorites and recommendations for customers. Robertson’s favorite is the Cappuccino Chocolate Crunch, which he believes to be “better than anything on the Baskin Robbins menu.” Rivera’s favorite is the Caramel Cinnamon, but he also recommends shakes and sundaes to the customers. From a customer perspective, Stark changes up her order every time, but has a personal favorite that she comes back to. “Their cotton candy [ice cream] is bomb,” Stark said.
” The atmosphere is just a lot different.”
– Eric Robertson, senior
Robertson maintains that the current situation should not deter people from visiting.“I’d recommend people coming in to not have to worry about coronavirus as we take many precautionary steps to making sure everything is sanitized and to not be afraid to come get the best ice cream on both sides of the 101,” Robertson said.
The parlor, like many local businesses, is receiving less business than it would have, and could use support from the community. They offer curbside pickup for those wary about going inside. “Coaches is just a great family owned business and it would really mean a lot if people came by and just support the small business,” Rivera said.
