A real cool thing to be.

Back in the day, a soda jerk at a corner drug store was a real cool thing to be.  She would first add flavoring to a tall glass, add carbonated water by jerking a lever, then add a couple scoops of ice cream.     

The "jerking" action occurred when the server would swing the soda fountain handle back and forth when adding the soda water.  With the advent of fast-food places and big box stores, the job of jerking kind of disappeared from our society.

Well, in an attempt to bring back the old fashioned ice cream bar, Grandpa’s Soda Fountain and Ice Cream Parlor was established.  

The address is 208 4th Ave West

Olympia, WA 98501 

   Belana has made the job of jerking very attractive again.

The place is only about a block from the waterfront, and I understand that people from all walks of life frequent the shop.  As we entered, we were amazed at how old-fashioned the shop appeared.  It definitely fit into the quaint setting of old downtown Olympia.  

A couple of older people were sitting at the bar, and I understand that the shop is frequented by retired persons, looking for a scoop of really good ice cream.  Belana told me that both families and teens come also.   

Of particular interest to me was the jute-box close to the ceiling.  If this place were a church, one could almost view this piece of furniture as being a religious symbol.   

The music is produced by an iPod-MP3 centered above the U.  It is controlled by a hand remote from below.  Pretty cool, huh?

Before we left the shop, I was lucky enough to get a pic the Anderson family, minus Julie, who is serving her church in Virginia.  Dayle is supporting his first beard for "no-shave November" -  this is a Washington thing only, I believe.  Belana definitely knows where the camera is.   

If you get to Olympia, be sure to visit Grandpa’s, take a walk on the waterfront, and browse around Old Downtown.  You won't be disappointed.