The owners of Theron’s Frozen Custard shop in Redlands are talking with developers about moving the La Rosita building from Redlands Boulevard to Barton Road and Nevada Street, where it would become the shop’s new home.

Theron’s now is housed in a former garage on Nevada, tucked behind the historic Barton House, an 1860s structure that Dr. Terry and Geneil Vines saved from demolition several years ago.

“My husband likes to save buildings,” said Geneil Vines, a member of the city’s Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission.

The proposal grew out of controversy that developed over a plan to tear down La Rosita, built in 1960, to house a Baker’s restaurant and construct a stand-alone Starbucks in its place. Pacific American Development received approval for that plan from the city’s Planning Commission in May.

Some residents and members of the city’s Historic and Scenic Preservation Commission said the building, or at least its facade and sign, should be saved and reused. The developer said that wasn’t feasible for architectural reasons.

At an Aug. 25 historic preservation commission meeting, Pacific American Development executives and their Redlands lawyer, Bob Ziprick, said La Rosita would not be demolished after all. Instead, it would be moved elsewhere, possibly to Heritage Park, and a new Starbucks would go up on its site.

But the idea of putting the building in Heritage Park, at Nevada and Orange Avenue off Barton Road, didn’t go over well. The park showcases Redlands’ agricultural heritage and is home to a historic one-room schoolhouse that was moved there some years ago.

At Thursday’s commission meeting, Ziprick said the development team was working with the Vines on a plan to move La Rosita to property the Vines own at Barton and Nevada.

“We’re going to be working energetically to carry that out,” Ziprick said. “The idea is that the shop that sells sandwiches and custards and things like that would fit very well because … it would be very similar to the type of use (the building) originally had. And it would include the sign.”

Geneil Vines said after the meeting that she had told her husband in August the developers were talking about moving La Rosita. She said he replied, “Well, we could take it on that corner.”

She proposed the idea to Ziprick and now the parties are talking with city officials about what steps would need to be taken. It’s not certain the move will take place, but it’s a strong possibility, Geneil Vines said.

The corner, just south of the Barton House, currently is home to orange trees planted by the Vines. The Vines have planted a similar grove at the nearby Heritage Park.

Contact the writer: 951-368-9552 or ewaldner@pe.com