Ice cream shop lights up parking lot

Thanks to Bunker Busters Ice Cream, Lansing has a hot new place to enjoy a cold treat. The small but mighty new business is located at 901 N. Larch Street in the parking lot of Pro Fireworks. While it’s only been open for a shade over a month, this new venture, launched by the fireworks store, was a long time coming.  

Bunker Busters Ice Cream 

901 N. Larch St., Lansing 

(517) 246-6700 

Monday-Sunday, Noon-9 p.m. 

bunkerbusters.com  |  facebook.com/BunkerBustersIceCream 

Kyle Ahrens, Pro Fireworks operations director, said Bunker Busters was initiated last year by Pro Fireworks CEO and founder James Stajos—who was inspired by his father’s dream to open an ice cream shop.   

After purchasing a 20-foot shipping container last fall, a team got to work on converting the space into a premium ice cream shop. Their staff waited until after Pro Firework’s busiest time of year, the Fourth of July, to open up shop.  

And while it’s a relatively tiny storefront, Ahrens said Bunker Busters is completely decked out and lit up. The once plain-looking white shipping container was fashioned into a uniquely modern spot, with a vibrant bright blue metal logo and adorning purple ice cream cones.  

“We gave Dane (Vermeulen) over at Michigan Imagery our vision and what we wanted,” Ahrens said. “He handled it himself and did a terrific job.”   

Fitting all the equipment needed for a full-fledged ice cream shop in the space required some preparation, but Ahrens said careful planning allowed them to utilize the space with top-notch products. 

“It’s been a journey to get this business open,” he said. “You will not regret stopping by. People love the quality of the ice cream. Other ice cream places are normally 6 to 7% buttermilk. Here it’s 10%, so it’s real ice cream. That’s the difference with our product compared to a lot of other places.” 

Menu items include chocolate and vanilla soft serve, waffle cones and candy toppings. Specialty sundaes such as turtle, brownie and death-by-chocolate, and an assortment of shakes and flurries also made the cut. The shop’s namesake item, inspired by firecrackers, is the 32 oz. Bunker Buster flurry, perfect for sharing. Prices range from $2 to $10. 

“The benefit we have is we already own the property,” Ahrens said. “We don’t have to pay rent, so we can drive down the cost and give people really good quality ice cream for a cheap price.” 

And while there’s no indoor seating, Bunker Busters has outdoor seating, a popular choice for its growing customer base.  

“We have picnic tables so people can sit down, enjoy ice cream with their family and just spend time together,” said Ahrens, who added the company hopes to expand its ice cream biz to future locations.