The Le Mars-based maker of Blue Bunny Ice Cream on Wednesday unveiled year-long renovations made to its ice cream parlor. Wells Enterprises celebrated its grand reopening alongside Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds.
The company had been working to remodel the parlor, and make it more interactive for tourists, by installing new exhibits about their history and how the ice cream is made. Wells also expanded their space.
The Wells Visitor Center & Ice Cream Parlor currently serves around 240,000 people annually, according to the company. CEO Mike Wells says he hopes they can double that.
“One of the single best things we can do is drive the economic engine in the community of Le Mars by making this a successful tourist attraction that draws those kind of numbers to our community every day to contribute and to experience what a great thing we have going on here in Le Mars," Wells said.
Governor Reynolds praised the company for its contributions to Le Mars and to Iowa’s dairy industry. She said she can’t wait to bring her grandchildren to the parlor.
“Tours from all over the nation will come here for the ice cream and stay for the experience,” Reynolds said. “It’s an opportunity to showcase the sweet life in Le Mars, the sweet life Le Mars has to offer and a chance for new people to fall in love with Iowa.”
The Wells family has been selling dairy products in northwest Iowa for more than 100 years.
