Do you remember charming ice cream parlors or old school candy stores? There’s one that’s a short drive or light rail ride from downtown Denver, Colorado. Treat your sweet self with a visit to Scrumptious Arvada, a vintage candy store and ice cream parlor.
I do miss those nostalgic sweet treats, and imagine my surprise when a few years back, I discovered just that literally 10 minutes from my home in Colorado.
If visions of Sugar Babies, Cow Pokes, wax lips and homemade ice cream dance in your head, then you’ll want to make Scrumptious Arvada, your family vacation dessert experience in Olde Town Arvada.
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From the moment you step into Scrumptious, adults are transported to the days of old while children do the happy dance. And if your kids have never tried bottled soda, well, you’re all in for a flavorful soda pop treat here too!
My grandkids now range in age from teens to toddlers. No matter how old (or young) they are, every time we visit Olde Town Arvada, we always include a stop at Scrumptious.
To quote my 16-year-old granddaughter when I asked her if she was “too old” to visit the candy store, she said, “No one is too old for a candy store, Grammie!”
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream
There’s a “parlor” to the immediate left and then space opens up to visions of candy overload! Scrumptious Creamery in Arvada consistently is nominated as one of the best ice cream shops in the Denver metro area. Within minutes, you’ll agree that this is one of many tasty places in Arvada.
Look to the right, past the counter to all the scrumptious offers. Set your sights on the glass case filled with original homemade Scrumptious ice cream flavors, including frozen yogurt. The ice cream is created by resident owner Scott Spears, a local realtor turned ice cream guru.
Spears says guests can always choose from 24 flavors of ice cream, and that he’s created as many as 175 flavors for a great selection for all fans of ice cream. His creations include iconic names like “Elvis” for the peanut butter/banana flavor right alongside long-time favorites, such as vanilla and chocolate.
Undecided? No problem, ask for a sample. Then order your favorite ice cream, in a cup or a waffle cone – any way you like it. CAUTION: portions are generous!
Candy Land
While savoring your ice cream, explore the colorful right side of Scrumptious, overflowing with candies of yesteryear and today. Grab a cute shopping basket and start adding your favorites.
A popular stop for kids is the Pucker Powder machine – think Fun Dip – where kids can create their own sweet nectar.
Take time to explore the walls lined with candy bins. Then mix and match with your favorites.
There is a great selection of candies: Moon Pies to Sugar Babies, cinnamon teddy bears to themed wax lips, giant jawbreakers to jelly beans, bubble gum to red licorice. Whatever your taste buds crave in sugar, you’ll find it here at Scrumptious.
For me, it’s always a walk down memory lane when browsing the candy side. Stacks and stacks of candy crowd the counters, along the walls and in nooks and crannies. There are even small boxes of lemon drops, Red Hots and other candies from my childhood.
This visit also offers me the opportunity to tell my childhood stories to my grandkids. This candy store includes a candy bar from near my hometown: Twin Bing, made in Sioux City, Iowa. Surprisingly, the grandkids remember because even when they visit without me they always buy a Twin Bing for me!
Shop from a great selection of affordable candy with prices ranging from 25 cents on up.
Located at 7523 Grandview Avenue in the heart of the revitalized Olde Town, Scrumptious Arvada hits a sweet spot with the young and old alike and is yet another thing to do in Arvada.
Dine-in or Takeout
Olde Town Arvada is a quiet suburb. While you can certainly enjoy your ice cream inside the store, consider taking it to go and exploring this welcoming city.
When we stop by in the summer, we’ll head toward the town square. Then the grandkids finish their ice cream and cool off by running through the splash pad fountains a few blocks away at the Olde Town Arvada Square. On Sundays, this is also the location of the local farmers’ market.
Scrumptious Food Truck
The music from the ice cream truck always brings the children (and parents’ cash) running for an afternoon treat. The good news is that Scrumptious also drives their food truck to various locations across Arvada to serve their delicious ice cream outside of Olde Town.
Where is Scrumptious Arvada?
Located 20 minutes drive west of downtown Denver on 7523 Grandview Ave, Arvada, CO 80002 in Olde Town, it is an award-winning, sweet, nostalgic ice cream and candy shop.
If your family vacation is based in Denver, walk to Union Station and take the RTD G Line to the Olde Town Arvada Station. Scrumptious is steps from the train station.
Scrumptious also opened a second Colorado location in Longmont.
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