As the spring and summer season approaches, The Milkshake Spot has reopened its windows on April 5.
This little building located at 250 State St. in downtown Big Rapids is owned by Kate Lenau and Karen McNally and opened in May 2023. Bringing a unique community experience with its sweet treats and one-of-a-kind milkshakes, The Milkshake Spot kicked off its opening day by serving up frozen delights and unique milkshakes to around 45 people during its busiest hours between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Many of which included local community members and Ferris State students.
Leanu shared her experience and history with The Milkshake Spot.
“It was a Dairy Queen when I was a kid, and it was the place to go,” Lenau said. “I think over the past few years, there’s been a struggle with this building and having an ice cream shop here in town. I came from a restaurant management background before I got into real estate, so I’ve been in the realm of not only cooking but customer service. So, when the building set here for sale, all I could think is I know I could take this little diamond in the rough and polish it up, and that’s what we did.”
McNally wasn’t available for comment, but General Manager Jodi Nelson provided more feedback about The Milkshake Spot and what it has to offer.
“We opened with this idea in the middle of May last year,” Nelson said. “So I’ve been here since the beginning since it opened, and it was crazy last year, we learned a lot. We had a great time, and this year has been slower-paced. I learned a lot about ice cream machines, how to break them down, how to take them apart, sanitize them [and] put them back together. I learned how to do orders through different companies that we use for products and a lot of new techniques.”
With learning experiences as a new business, The Milkshake Spot has gained a reputation among the members of the Big Rapids community as Lenau and McNally put a creative spin on the milkshakes they make. There are various toppings and flavors, using names like “Call Me Ande” for their Andes Mint shake and “The Bulldog,” which has a blend of Oreo cookies and vanilla ice cream with Ferris State’s signature crimson and gold colors.
Healthcare administration junior and The Milkshake Spot employee Raelin Clancy explained her work experience.
“I think it’s super fun. I love seeing all the familiar faces and the fast-paced environment,” Clancy said.
As a Ferris State student, Clancy watched her friends go to the window as she served orders.
Big Rapids community member Alison Jenerou shares her thoughts on her experience.
“We come a couple of times a summer, we love all the options we love their fancy milkshakes with all the fancy toppings,” Jenerou said. “I have a young family so I love family-friendly places where we can enjoy some outdoor spaces together and have a nice treat,”
The Milkshake Spot offers an environment for people of all kinds to savor a frosty treat as they enjoy being close to nature, as the location is near Mitchell Creek Park. Families from all over Big Rapids come to enjoy some tasty treats with each other and their friends, as they make memories for years to come.
“I would say our atmosphere [is] definitely family-oriented. We want people to come and hang out in the yard, listen to the music, play outdoor games, but also our iconic shakes are something no one else offers,” Lenau said.
Due to its seasonal opening in the summer, not many Ferris students can enjoy their shakes. This does not stop them from coming over to hang out with their friends as they enjoy a sweet treat before the end of the semester.
“We have just a huge following in our community, so that keeps us happy and pretty well, but we’d love to see more Ferris Students come down here,” Nelson said.
The Milkshake Spot is open from Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.
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