Stranger Things has pulled out all the stops for the third season, taking over Santa Monica Pier two weeks prior, and now popping up a “Scoops Ahoy” at the Burbank Baskin Robbins. Fans certainly weren’t complaining, despite the 3-4 hour wait to get in. Today was the last day for the pop-up, whereupon the store will immediately transform at midnight back into the rightside-up as the same Baskin-Robbins before the takeover.
One fan even took to the streets, decking out his Jeep Stranger Things style.
Fans were treated to a complete Scoops Ahoy experience, with no traces of Baskin-Robbins in sight. Even the trash can had the “Scoops Ahoy” logo, as well as each and every freezer that held specialty ice cream cakes.
The doors were fashioned with Scoops Ahoy rope and peep holes, and fans enjoyed ringing the bell that hung beside the hostess stern. A model, dressed in the Scoops Ahoy work attire, also stationed herself for photos and welcomed guests into the parlor — and into a much needed reprieve from the heat.
Due to the hours of waiting in the sun, the Baskin-Robbins manager came around several times handing out water bottles to fans. The line stretched two blocks down along Victory Boulevard, and many fans also came in Stranger Things attire or sailor outfits to complete the experience.
The Drive-Thru was even transformed into a merch booth for specialty stickers and Funko-Pops.
Inside, fans could cool down with special USS Butterscotch treats like the USS Butterscotch banana split, complete with a boat-shaped container and a scoop of chocolate, strawberry, and Scoops Ahoy’s specialty Butterscotch. Other Stranger Things specialties included “Eleven’s Heaven,” the “Demogorgon Sundae” and “The Upside Down Sundae.”
Some visitors may have also noticed a strange symbol beside the counter while ordering. According to AdWeek, there is another component that fans can experience during their visit: That of ARG (augmented reality). Baskin-Robbins’ senior director of consumer engagement, David Nagel, explained that Netflix had contacted him back in April 2018 concerning a collaboration between Stranger Things and Baskin-Robbins.
This allowed Nagel access to the script. “I got the fun job of reading the finale first,” Nagel told The Hollywood Reporter. Armed with this information, Nagel decided to take it even further, creating more interactive experience. “This is taking place as part of the 1985 world,” explained Nagel. “It’s almost like these two worlds are running parallel, and sometimes they intersect and sometimes they don’t.” The game is called Operation Scoop Snoop. The only drawback for some Stranger Things fans might be the fact that one can only play it with 1985 technology, such as fax machines.
For those who still want a taste of some USS Butterscotch and other Stranger Things flavors, Baskin-Robbins will still be offering Scoops Ahoy specialties in all locations nationwide for a limited time. Happy sailing!
Photo credit: Rachel Beede