Sugar ‘ n Spice , the historic frozen banana business on Balboa Island , was placed on the market in February as the owners , husband-and-wife team Will and Courtney Alovis , have decided to sell . The mixed-use building at 310 Marine Ave . ( with a three-bedroom home behind the shop ) is listed at $ 3.495 million while the business itself is being offered for $ 1.5 million ; each is contingent upon the other selling . Real estate agent Annie Clougherty of Compass is handling the sale . Notably , the business will remain open during this process . As a thank you to the community , a giveaway of frozen bananas and Balboa bars was held Feb . 8 , with people lining up down the block for the free treats . The Alovises took over Sugar ‘ n Spice in 2014 for Courtney ’ s mom , Helen Connolly , who came from Catalina Island and purchased the stand in 1995 . “ She loved being at the window and made friends from all over the world who would come visit ,” Courtney says . The business , founded back in the 1940s , helped inspire the TV show “ Arrested Development ,” which featured Bluth ’ s Original Frozen Banana Stand . Celebrities including the Kardashians |
have also stopped by Sugar ‘ n Spice for its iconic desserts through the years . Bob and Dorothy “ Dot ” Cook originally opened the eatery as Dot & Bob Candies and later changed the name to Sugar ‘ n Spice . Frozen bananas came about when Dot asked their son to put some bananas in the refrigerator , but he mistakenly placed them in the freezer . Upon discovering the frozen bananas a few days later , Bob decided to try dipping them in warm fudge and then covering them with toppings like chopped peanuts and English toffee crumbs . Since owning the shop , the Alovises have innovated by adding new toppings as well as a catering truck in 2018 and online ordering for pick-up or delivery in 2020 . The Alovises say they have enjoyed running Sugar ‘ n Spice and will return as customers , but it ’ s time to “ pass the banana ” to another family . Once the business sells , the couple plan to enter into semiretirement , returning part time to the entertainment industry jobs they left behind . Courtney was a makeup artist for TV and film |
while Will was a script supervisor and is currently producing a documentary , “ Tramps Like Us ,” about the relationship that singer Bruce Springsteen ’ s fans have with the Boss , his music and each other . The couple also want to travel and spend more time with family and friends . They hope to find someone to “ continue the business , continue the legacy — that ’ s our goal and our desire ,” Will says . ( Sugar ‘ n Spice : 949-673-8907 ; sugarnspice balboaisland . com ) ( Compass agent Annie Clougherty : 949-375-3037 ; compass . com ) — S . S . |
Above : The historic Sugar ‘ n Spice frozen banana business is for sale as is the Balboa Island space . Top left : A worker prepares a frozen banana with toppings at Sugar ‘ n Spice . |