From motorcycles to ice cream has been a huge career change for the new owner of Auburn’s two Baskin-Robbins stores.

But former Harley-Davidson mechanic Marty Ruthman is relishing the challenge of his new job.

Ruthman had spent more than 25 years working on bikes at the time he left the Auburn Harley Davidson shop, not long before it closed.

“I was looking for something away from the automotive industry,” he said Monday. “I actually sold tools for awhile.”

When he decided he wanted to purchase a business, Ruthman went to Google and searched for the oldest franchise. That’s how he found Baskin-Robbins.

“I wanted something strong that had been around a long time,” he said. “I remember as a kid going to Baskin-Robbins with my grandfather for a sundae.”

As it turned out, the company was offering a seminar for prospective franchisees the following week in San Francisco.

Ruthman learned there that part of the process of becoming a franchisee included doing in–store interviews with current owners, he said.

When he visited Tom Wright, then owner of the Auburn stores, Ruthman found out the businesses were for sale. So he bought them.

In preparation for the job, he spent a month in training at Baskin-Robbins offices in Burbank.

“There was a lot to learn,” he said. “I had to learn about food safety, quality, inventory controls and paperwork.”

He spent two weeks of the training working in a Baskin-Robbins store.

Now in charge of his own stores, Ruthman has big plans.

“Both stores will be remodeled to (reflect) the new Baskin-Robbins design — one store this year and another next year,” he said.

He’ll also put more focus on the cake program.

“That means doing (special-order) cakes in 24 hours,” he said.

A new freezer he’s adding will nearly double storage for cakes, from 28 to 52.

“So there will be a wide variety for walk-ins,” he said.

Most of the 18-member staff has stayed on and Ruthman has added a couple of cake decorators and builders.

Currently he’s working on cleanup and putting his own stamp on the stores with the addition of some new programs.

One of those is the reader program for students.

“When they read a book, they get a certificate for a free scoop, and when they do well, they get a free scoop,” he said.

He’s also introducing a fundraiser program for local schools, churches and nonprofits. He’s already talked to the local Boy Scout troop about the program, and plans to discuss it with Girls Scout troops, too, he said.

The program involves taking special orders for the cakes, which the Baskin-Robbins stores prepare and see to delivery. The nonprofits taking the orders get 20 percent of the sales price, Ruthman said.

Store promotions include $1 scoop nights from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and, currently, $1 off on drinks on Thursdays.

Next-door, UPS store manager Margaret Rice is a frequent customer.

“It’s great that he could keep the store open and keep the staff,” Rice said. “He’s got a lot of plans for the store and it’s nice having him as a neighbor.”

For Ruthman, the hours are long but fun.

“I love it,” he said. “It’s really a kick. … It’s a challenge, but I’m enjoying it.”

Gloria Young can be reached at gloriay@goldcountrymedia.com

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Baskin-Robbins locations in Auburn

13430 Lincoln Way (Auburn Ravine Shopping Center)

2935 Bell Road (Kmart Center) North Auburn

Hours: 11a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Fri day and Saturday