Sweet treat runs have become a way for dessert lovers to add a little sweetness into their day. But for many, the concept of grabbing a sweet treat has become a way of creating moments for connection with loved ones, students said.
Junior Bre Patterson said half the fun of getting a sweet treat with her friends is the excitement of picking out where to go and discovering new favorites with friends.
“First, I love the sweet treat part, obviously,” Patterson said. “And then we’re all just so happy whenever we get our treat and we get to chat and listen to music in the car.”
Grabbing dessert is a way to add extra joy to the day and bring friends together over a shared love for sweets, Patterson said.
Junior Grace Sardar said getting a sweet treat with others makes the experience ten times better.
“I almost always need something sweet after anything savory,” Sardar said. “But when you get it with a friend, you can indulge and share the joy with someone else.”
Students said some of their favorite dessert places in the Malibu area include Malibu Yogurt and Ice Cream, better known as “Buyo” among students, Crumbl Cookies, BJ’s for pizookies or the grocery store for a store-bought treat.
More Than Dessert
While sweet treats might appear as just getting dessert, students said they hold significant meaning. These treats represent friendship and demonstrate how shared moments are capable of creating joy and lasting memories.
Patterson said a sweet treat has the ability to cheer her up and make her day sweeter.
“Sometimes we won’t be in the best mood and say, ‘Let’s go get a pizookie,'” Patterson said. “It turns your whole day around and you’re not thinking about the annoying stuff that happened.”
Whether it’s celebrating the end of a stressful week or simply chatting over a delicious bite, these moments create a sense of togetherness to be cherished, students said.
Buyo Owner Perspective
Malibu Yogurt and Ice Cream, or “Buyo,” has become a beloved spot among the Malibu community, especially with Pepperdine students.
The shop has become a go-to destination; whether it’s a post-dinner dessert, study break or a way to celebrate special moments, Buyo has become a familiar place for connection and tradition.
Julian Gómez, owner of Malibu Yogurt and Ice Cream, said customers describe the shop as a staple in the Malibu community. Every day he is there, he said he sees firsthand the sense of connection happening when people come for dessert.
“Malibu is such a tight community — all the locals are so warm,” Gómez said. “You see the same faces and start to recognize them and then you start talking and it builds up from there.”
Gómez said he loves when people choose his shop to spend time with their friends and family. He recalls when a group of students celebrated a friend’s birthday there by coming into the shop for ice cream.
Beyond special occasions, Gómez said the shop has become a cherished tradition for many.
“It’s like a tradition to come after dinner,” Gómez said. “People have their dinner, then come here and talk more, even when it’s cold.”
Regardless of the season, people keep coming back to Malibu Yogurt and Ice Cream, continually turning a simple treat into a meaningful ritual and shared experience.
A Taste of Comfort
In the whirlwind of college life, small rituals like getting a sweet treat can be grounding moments that provide comfort and connection.
For many students, getting a sweet treat also feels like a reward and something special to look forward to with their friends.
“It’s also a way to reward yourself,” Patterson said. “Especially at the end of a hard school week — it’s definitely a form for us to destress after all our responsibilities.”
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Contact Bohuen Tong via email: bohuen.tong@pepperdine.edu
