CASSOPOLIS — Lakeside Parlor opened its doors at noon Saturday.
Lakeside Parlor, 22041 M-60, is owned and operated by sisters Lori Whitmyer and Karen Smoots.
Lakeside Parlor, located inside Diamond Lake Golf Course Clubhouse, is a full-service, hand-dipped ice cream parlor featuring Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream, made in Michigan since 1984.
Lakeside Parlor, with a second entrance on Golf Lane, off Howell Drive, which patrons can access to avoid golfers in play, features 21 flavors of ice cream, sorbet and frozen yogurt. Lakeside Parlor also has sugar-free and gluten-free for customers with dietary restrictions.
For waffle cone lovers, Lakeside Parlor will feature homemade waffle cones, made fresh in the parlor featuring Carbon’s Golden Malted premium waffle mix.
In addition to ice cream, Lakeside Parlor will have fountain pop, hot dogs, chips and iced and hot coffee.
Lori and Karen grew up in Cassopolis. Lori is a life-long resident of Cassopolis and Karen resides in Portage.
Cass County seemed ideal for an ice cream parlor because Cassopolis is a destination for lakes and summer fun, according to the sisters, who said golf and ice cream seem to be a perfect combination.
Golf course manager Bill Loux, along with several members, said this would be a turning point to bring golfers to this one-of-a kind nine-hole course, where special attention is focused on sand traps and greens.
Diamond Lake Golf Course will be open seven days a week, sunrise to sunset.
Remodeling began mid-March with a full transformation of the inside of the clubhouse completed by opening day.
When the sisters determined that Lakeside Parlor needed a cutting-edge product and look to differentiate itself from other parlors, they chose Ashby’s Sterling Ice Cream due to the fact this ice cream is only sold in parlors.
Lakeside Parlor went one step further and contracted with vendors such as Ghirardelli Chocolate to offer premium products at an affordable price.
“We know that this area has been longing for a local family destination to eat ice cream, and now we have it,” the sisters say.
With seats for 25 seats inside and approximately 25 more outside, Lakeside Parlor is ready for residents, visitors, vacationers and those just passing by to eat ice cream.
Lakeside Parlor will operate as a seasonal ice cream shop open seven days a week, Monday through Thursday until 9 p.m., and Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 10.
Lakeside Parlor also offer packages such as fundraising ice cream socials, cake and ice cream orders for birthdays or other special events, graduation party packages and golf outing/tournament packages through public Diamond Lake Golf Course.
Contact Lakeside Parlor at (269) 599-5366.