Baskin-Robbins Reopens Following Car Crash

It has been four months since a drunk driver crashed his car through the at 856 E. Route 66, closing the store indefinitely for construction and building code inspections. But this week, Baskin-Robbins is once again serving up ice cream cones and sundaes.

The shop quietly opened Monday, boasting a completely brand new remodeled interior. A ribbon cutting marking the store’s reopening is planned for August 16 with the .

It’s a far cry from what the store looked like four months ago.

In the early morning hours of March 16, 26-year-old Rodrigo D’Silva of Arcadia went barreling through the Baskin-Robbins in his Mercedes after clipping another vehicle. Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident, according to the police report. Glendora Police determined D’Silva had been under the influence of alcohol.

Still, his car not only took out windows, tables, chairs and appliances, but the building sustained major structural damage, said store manager George Malki.

“Everything, from A to Z, had to be replaced,” said Malki, who estimated the full damages to be about $165,000, not including the money lost during the four months the store was closed.

Baskin-Robbins' opening is a sigh of relief for storeowners as they scrambled to reopen the store before the end of the summer season, Baskin-Robbins’ most profitable season.

Local customers had been patiently awaiting the store’s reopening, writing e-mails and letters to Patch requesting updates on the store’s progress.

“We’re happy to open again for business and hopefully make back the money we lost,” said Malki.