Punk Rock Ice Cream Franchise Severs Corporate Ties

A Boston franchise of a regional ice cream shop chain has decided to sever its corporate ties after years of operating as a so-called "punk-rock creamery." Herrell's Development Corp., owners of the Herrell's chain, is asking its franchises to conform, and the owners of the 25-year-old shop in the Allston neighborhood have opted out, reports the Boston Globe.

For years, the Allston Herrell's used a logo of a skull-shaped ice cream cone rather than the official company logo that features two teddy bears. In the early years, the shop hosted a pirate radio broadcast out of its back room. The store will now be known as the Allston Cafe.

The owners still play punk in the store -- Screeching Weasel was on the sound system when a Globe reporter recently visited. A front office request to play softer music was partly responsible for the Allston owners' decision to secede. Pop music "gives you a lighter feeling," Development Corp. president Judith Herrell told the Globe, "that reminds you of your childhood."

But what's more youthful than punk rock? I scream, you scream...