It’s the little stand that could. Believe or not, Sugar ‘n Spice celebrates its 75th anniversary this year.
Long a landmark on Balboa Island, it’s been the scene of many a sunny memory for locals craving a nostalgic treat. But an unexpected role on the Fox cult comedy “Arrested Development” gave it new life. The writers based the show on a fictitious family that owns a frozen banana business. The story is set in Newport Beach but scenes of the stand were actually filmed at Fisherman’s Village in Marina del Rey.
Sugar ‘n Spice was operated by Helen Connolly, its third owner, seemingly forever. Actually it was just until 5 years ago when she became too ill with dementia to carry on.
That was a turning point for her daughter Courtney Alovis. She and her husband Will Alovis gave up their Hollywood careers — she was a makeup artist and he was a script supervisor who also did some producing and directing — for this zany banana gig.
Believe or not again, life is good.
“It wasn’t actually in our plan but we never took it into account that Courtney’s mom would be unable to run it,” Will Alovis said. “She had built such a business and taken it to a whole other level. She had a connection with people that we wanted to continue and not let it fall into the hands of strangers,” he said.
Connolly’s connection with customers was so strong that they still ask Courtney Alovis about her when they stop by for a sweet snack. “A lot of people come from on the island and off the island. They’ve met my mom and they’re always asking how she’s doing. She still lives in Newport,” she said.
The stand sells bananas and Balboa Bars dipped in chocolate ($4.50). They’re dredged coatings such as nuts, sprinkles, peanut butter cup crumbles, coconut, fruity cereal and more, with 16 toppings total and four different dips. If you want something fancier, you can also get frozen tiramisu and frozen cheesecake on a stick ($4.75). There’s soft serve and regular ice cream in cones and sundaes. Order a corn dog, hot dog or pretzel if you want to make it lunch.
The business is still going strong and the two owners have added a new twist: a bright blue catering truck. They’ll roll out to your office and your birthday parties, bridal and baby showers and most any occasion. Lately they’ve been running up to Hollywood sets to feed the casts of television shows such as “Black-ish” and “The Rookie.” So, yes, just like in a warm and fuzzy Hallmark Channel special filled with lovable characters who can’t escape their destinies, their two worlds are colliding.
“It’s really fun to go back to see friends we’ve worked with,” Will Alovis said. “It’s the perfect amalgam of our two different careers. The casts work really long hours so it’s nice to give them a treat.”
Mostly they’re proud of carrying on a local tradition and staying connected to the community. “We’re always looking for charities to team up with,” said Courtney. “We live here and work here and it’s really important to us to try to do whatever we can,” she said.
Even though they never saw themselves going from Hollywood honchos to the top bananas in a tiny 400-square-foot stand, these two have scripted their own happy ending. “It’s pretty funny. This is probably the last thing in the world we saw ourselves doing, but the legacy that Courtney’s mom had built was really worthy and deserving of devoting our time to,” said Will Alovis.
“We didn’t expect we’d enjoy it as much as we do,” he said. “In Hollywood, it’s tough to make anybody happy. And here? Everybody walks away happy.”
Sugar ‘n Spice
Find it: 310 Marine Ave., Balboa Island, 949-673-8907, sugarnspicebalboaisland.com.
Open: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Summer hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
