Pedro Pascal probably never expected one of his movies to become part of an ice cream shop’s comeback story. Yet a historic California parlor that had been closed for nearly five years found itself back in the spotlight after appearing in a film set in Oakland.
The shop first opened in 1950, serving generations of families before the pandemic brought its original location to a standstill. Filming temporarily delayed plans to reopen, but the attention surrounding the movie added another chapter to its history.
I love the idea of a neighborhood favorite returning with its familiar flavors and retro atmosphere still intact. Customers who remembered visiting as children could finally walk through those doors again.
With colorful scoops, old-fashioned sundaes, and more than four decades of flavors to choose from, the reopening brought a beloved local tradition back to life.
A Movie Set Sparked The Sweetest Second Act In Town
Hollywood usually borrows a location, films a few scenes, and packs up the trucks. At Loard’s Ice Cream in Oakland’s Dimond District, the cameras left behind something better than a credit.
The shop had been closed for about five years before a film starring Pedro Pascal used the space. That movie, Freaky Tales, is set in Oakland and leans hard into the city’s local flavor.
The filming brought fresh attention to the long-closed storefront, while the production itself delayed an earlier reopening plan. After the movie’s release, the historic location finally welcomed customers again on June 1, 2025.
Owners Winnie Tam and Willis Yu helped revive the space, preserving its retro character while bringing back the ice cream that generations of Oakland residents remembered.
I like how the story feels almost too tidy for real life. A movie star’s project helped wake up a sleepy storefront, and now families can grab cones there again.
The return also mattered because Loard’s carries decades of Bay Area memories. The brand has roots going back to the 1950s, so this was never just another new business opening.
Think of it as a sequel that actually beat the original hype. No popcorn needed, though nobody would blame you for wanting a waffle cone during the credits.
The Family Name Behind The Freezer Goes Way Back
Long before ube became a trending flavor, Loard’s was already scooping for Bay Area kids. The ice cream maker traces its story back to the 1950s, which gives every visit a little time-travel energy.
That history is a big reason the reopening felt personal for so many neighbors. Some grown adults first tasted Loard’s as children, and now they can bring their own kids to the same counter.
Loard’s became known for a long lineup of flavors that mix the familiar with the unexpected. Classic chocolate sits right beside more playful choices, so nobody gets stuck with a boring cone.
The Dimond District shop is where Loard’s opened its very first location in June 1950. Its reopening brought customers back to the same neighborhood where the ice cream brand began 75 years earlier.
I believe old-school brands survive for a reason. They usually figured out what people loved early and simply kept doing it well.
Here, the goal seems to be honoring that past without turning the place into a dusty museum. You get the retro charm and the fresh energy of new owners who clearly care.
History tastes better with hot fudge. Nobody has ever argued with that, and nobody should start now.
Purple Ube Might Steal Your Whole Plan
Ube ice cream runs out here sometimes, and that tells you plenty. The purple yam flavor is one of the stars of the case at Loard’s Ice Cream.
If you have never tried ube, expect a gentle, sweet flavor that feels a little nutty and a little like vanilla. The color alone makes it the most photogenic scoop in the room.
Lemon chiffon is another flavor that grabs attention on the menu. It sounds like dessert from a fancy bakery, squeezed into a cone for easy travel.
Green tea ice cream also shows up for folks who like something earthy. Pairing it with ube makes a colorful double scoop that feels a bit like edible art.
Black cherry and pecan praline keep the classic side of the lineup strong. Cookies and cream holds its own too, and honestly it rarely loses a flavor contest.
Visitors have reported being offered small samples before choosing a flavor. Ask the staff whether tasting samples are available during your visit.
One fair warning for plant-based eaters: vegan options have been limited. Sherbet and sorbet are part of the Loard’s tradition, so check the case for current dairy-free picks.
Your Sundae Game Is About To Level Up
Banana splits are on the menu, and that alone deserves a small happy dance. Loard’s Ice Cream keeps this old-fashioned showpiece alive for anyone who wants dessert with a little drama.
Sundaes are a big part of the fun here. The topping selection gives you room to build something simple or go completely over the top.
Caramel sundaes have been a longtime favorite at this location. That buttery drizzle over cold ice cream is basically a love letter to the classic parlor era.
Here’s a nice bonus that feels rare these days: sprinkles have been offered for free. Kids will notice that detail fast, and so will any adult with a rainbow-colored heart.
Sundaes also solve a common family problem. When nobody can agree on one flavor, a multi-scoop creation lets everyone pick a favorite and share the spoils.
I like a shop that treats the sundae as a main event instead of an afterthought. It turns a quick ice cream stop into a small celebration, even on a regular Tuesday.
Grab extra napkins before you sit down. A banana split waits for no one, and melting whipped cream has zero patience.
Bright, Retro, And Built For Lingering
Clean, bright, and full of diner charm, the renovated space feels like a cheerful flashback. The new owners gave the shop a fresh remodel without scrubbing away its retro personality.
Big glass windows let in tons of natural light. That makes the room glow on sunny days and gives you a clear view of the neighborhood outside.
All that glass does come with a quirk. The shop can get warm on hot afternoons, and the owners have shared plans to tint the windows for comfort.
Small air conditioning units help in the meantime. Still, ice cream on a toasty day is kind of the whole point, right?
The vibe leans nostalgic in a fun way. Sitting inside feels a bit like a trip back to an era of soda fountains and Sunday drives.
Loard’s Ice Cream also works as a gathering spot for the Dimond District. Families, friends, and neighbors use it as a casual place to slow down for a few minutes.
I like how the room feels welcoming instead of fussy. You can stop by for a quick scoop or stay a while and finish your sundae without rushing.
Finding The Shop Is Half The Retro Fun
A 1950s shopping center makes the perfect frame for this old-school scoop stop. You’ll find Loard’s Ice Cream at 2825 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland, CA 94602.
The location sits in the Dimond District, a neighborhood with its own local identity. The area near Dimond and Laurel hasn’t had a ton of ice cream options, so this return filled a real gap.
The shopping center itself adds character. Its mid-century look matches the shop’s retro mood almost too well, like a set designer planned it.
Cafe Noir sits right across the street. That makes it easy to pair brunch with a sweet stop if you want a full outing.
Current business listings show Loard’s Ice Cream opening at noon every day. Monday through Thursday and Sunday, closing time is generally listed as 7 p.m., while Friday and Saturday hours extend until 8 p.m.
Visitors should check the latest schedule before making the trip, especially around holidays or special events.
Oakland has plenty of great food, but a spot with this much history is special. Plan a short visit, wander the center, and let California sunshine handle the rest of the mood.
Neighbors Treated The Reopening Like A Holiday
“Loard’s is back” became a happy chant around the Dimond District. The reopening arrived just in time for summer, and the timing could not have felt sweeter.
Opening day brought families through the doors to meet the new owners. That kind of welcome shows how much the shop meant to the neighborhood all along.
The owners have stayed connected with the community since then. They clearly see the shop as more than a business, and they treat it like a shared local space.
Friendly staff helps a lot with that feeling. Getting a flavor recommendation can turn a confusing case of choices into an easy decision.
Like any busy counter, service can vary on hectic days. The owners have openly said they want to keep improving, which is a good sign for the future.
I can’t imagine a better reward for patience than a reopened favorite. Five years is a long wait for a scoop, and Oakland waited anyway.
That loyalty says something lovely about this corner of California. Some places sell ice cream, but Loard’s Ice Cream sells a little piece of neighborhood memory in every cone.
Go grab your scoop. Pedro Pascal would probably approve.
