(Le Mars) — Major changes will soon occur at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream parlor as announced Wednesday, during the Chamber of Commerce coffee. The parlor already attracts more than 230,000 visitors each year. But, in addition to serving ice cream products, the Blue Bunny parlor will soon transform into an interactive tourism attraction. Adam Baumgartner, Wells Vice President of Retail Sales unveiled the plans for the renovation project for the parlor. Baumgartner says the purpose for Wells Enterprises and Blue Bunny Ice Cream is to bring fun and joy to everyone.
Baumgartner talks about the planned renovation as you first enter the parlor.
Baumgartner says the seating capacity will be expanded, and the tables will be more festive.
The Wells official says the soda fountain area will be more interactive featuring video screens. Construction has already began for the meeting rooms to be moved to the lower level of the ice cream parlor inside the former Timmy’s Catering building.
The current meeting room will be converted to a mini theater area.
Baumgartner says the upstairs level will feature an interactive display showcasing how the milk starts at the farm and becomes America’s favorite sweet treat.
Baumgartner believes the “From Farm to Spoon” exhibit may prove to be the most popular attraction within the ice cream parlor. He says it will feature many “hands-on” displays. The ice cream parlor will also feature an outdoor roof-top eating area.
The goal is to complete all the renovation by next year’s Ice Cream Days, and when the town of Le Mars will celebrate its Sesquicentennial 150th anniversary. In order to conduct the construction it was announced the ice cream parlor will be closed between October 1st through November 19th, and again between March 1st and mid-June of 2019. Officials wouldn’t comment on the estimate for the cost of the renovation project.
