A Grand Rapids favorite is expanding to Ada Township. Love's Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop opened its second location in a renovated barn on the edge of historic Ada, bringing its scratch-made ice cream to a new West Michigan community.

"We were able to take this old barn and revitalize it into something fresh and new, and we're in a great proximity to restaurants and the Covered Bridge," said Chris McKellar, founder and CEO of Love's.

From Downtown Grand Rapids to Ada

McKellar launched the original Love's in downtown Grand Rapids in 2013. His goal was simple: make ice cream from scratch using ingredients he could trace and trust.

Now he is partnering with longtime friend Jake Stacy, who serves as chief operating officer, to bring that same approach to Ada. The pair started looking at the location in late 2025, signed the lease in early January, and spent several months on the build-out, according to FOX 17.

"We tried to preserve some of the character that's been in this building for a lot of years, and modernize it just a touch to help us serve our craft made ice cream safely," McKellar said.

The shop sits in a renovated barn that maintains its historic character while meeting modern food safety standards for ice cream production.

What Sets Love's Apart

Love's makes its ice cream on-site using predominantly certified organic ingredients and grass-fed dairy. McKellar emphasized transparency in sourcing as a core value of the business.

"I wanted to make ice cream from scratch with ingredients that I knew where they came from and what they were," McKellar said.

The shop offers several signature flavors:

• Cookies and cream — McKellar's nostalgic favorite from childhood
• Almond toffee crunch — inspired by his mother's recipe
• Lavender blueberry — a dairy-free option noted for its purple color and refreshing taste
• Strawberry — McKellar's "sleeper" favorite, made with strawberries pureed into a sweet cream base with vanilla

"Some people sleep on it, but man, oh man, is that a really good flavor. Just bursting with fresh strawberry flavor," McKellar said.

The renovated barn also includes an upstairs seating area designed as a cozy gathering space for customers.

Part of a Larger Expansion

Love's is not stopping at two locations. According to the Holland Sentinel, Chief Operating Officer Jake Stacy confirmed the company plans to open a third location later this summer in the former Francesca's building at 5 W. Eighth St. in Holland.

The Ada location held its opening night on Saturday, May 16, from noon to 10 p.m. The event featured a large crowd and a festive atmosphere, according to FOX 17.

"I think ice cream is a necessity," McKellar said. "We are very intentional with making a product that you can feel good about eating yourself and feeding to your children."

Love's Ada remains open as a year-round destination for visitors to the Covered Bridge area and Ada's growing downtown village.