Here's the Scoop: Cold Stone Creamery Closed

Updated 5:22 p.m.: Franchise owner, Mike Salas' comments.

Ice cream devotees are not likely going to "love it" when they learn that the Cold Stone Creamery in downtown Pleasanton has closed. Yesterday, people passing by 349 Main Street saw the move-out in progress as equipment was being taken out of the business.

According to Pamela Ott, from the City of Pleasanton, the ice cream shop has been in the same location for ten years and is likely being replaced by Tara's Ice Cream, which also has locations in Oakland and Berkeley.

Ott wrote, via email:

"As I understand, Tara's Ice Cream will be moving into that same space so there will continue to be an ice cream shop among that building's tenant mix."

Ott says she is not certain when Tara's will open but they are hoping it is before the arrival of the summer months.

Mike Salas, the franchise owner, says he found out about the lease not being renewed after Craig Semmelmeyer from Main Street Property, called his home on Feb. 8 and left a voicemail that said they had 40 to 45 days to move out and that a new lease for the store had already been signed.

Salas had just gotten home from having surgery the day before he heard the news and says he suffered a stroke on the same day he found out about losing the lease.

According to Salas, at the end of 2011, he and his wife, Mindy, had been told by Semmelmeyer that they were getting ready for a new lease. In 2012, Salas said Semmelmeyer came to Salas and Cold Stone to say they would not be renewing the lease.

Salas says that during 2012, he eventually met with Semmelmeyer, who said that if Salas removed all of the advertising from his windows and policed the patio area for "problem teens", he would be willing to renew the lease.

Salas noted that he performed the two requirements Semmelmeyer requested for the entire year, despite losing business from the lack of advertising in the window. In September, Salas says he was told everything would be moving forward.

"Semmelmeyer kept dodging my calls for months," Salas said. "When we finally got a hold of Semmelmeyer in January, he told us we would be able to renew."

At the time, Salas says they were on a month-to-month lease, as the old lease had expired on Jan. 1. Salas added that he was not comfortable with the month-to-month situation and was ready for Semmelmeyer to make good on the lease renewal promised. According to Salas, he decided to have the surgery he needed after he found out from Semmelmeyer that they would be renewing.

"I was always a good tenant," Salas said.

Semmelmeyer has not yet returned calls for comment.

Other recent closures in downtown Pleasanton include the 1st Hunan Chef Wong Restaurant, the Grape Times wine bar, Me and My Friend's Cafe and Domus.

• Sprouts & Shutters: The 1st Hunan Chef Wong Restaurant Closing After 28 Years

• Sprouts & Shutters: Wine Bar Closes In Pleasanton

• Closed: Me and My Friend's Cafe

Are you sad to see Cold Stone go? What was your favorite "creation" at Cold Stone? Do you plan to try the new ice cream shop moving? Tell us in the comments section below.