40 years of sweet treats on the Grand Haven Boardwalk

Sweet Temptations customers equate a trip to the ice cream shop to a mini-vacation as they stroll the boardwalk, cone in hand.

“Temptations has been a Grand Haven icon for over 40 years, and it’s our relationship with the boardwalk that is so special,” owner Kelly Larson says.

Both Temptations and the Grand Haven Boardwalk got their start in the summer of 1984.

To celebrate the occasion, Temptations has rolled out a special, one-of-a-kind flavor — “The Boardwalk.” It features their award-winning vanilla ice cream with swirls of creamy peanut butter, local Fortino’s peanuts, and mini chocolate covered pretzels. Forty percent of all Boardwalk cone sales will benefit The Boardwalk fund.

Boardwalk fund

For the past decade, money has been raised to preserve and restore the boardwalk. Donations may be made to the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation’s Grand Haven Boardwalk Fund. 

Restoration efforts are planned for the fall with fundraising focused on replenishing the endowment after repairs are paid for.

“Grand Haven has done a fantastic job of keeping our waterfront available to all and the boardwalk is a perfect way to connect our downtown to our fabulous beach. We truly are one of a kind beachfront town,” Larson says. “Because of that relationship and our commitment to giving back to our community, it only felt right that we look for a way to celebrate both of the anniversaries.”

In 1984, the Boardwalk helped define Grand Haven as a Lake Michigan waterfront community. The area now sees more than 1 million annual guests.

After the collapse of Chinook Pier in 2020, Temptations moved to the Depot.

“(Temptation’s) commitment to quality and community is one of the many reasons Grand Haven is such a unique and cherished place,” says Chandi Pape, executive director of the Grand Haven Main Street Downtown Development Authority. “Celebrating their 40^th anniversary is a wonderful milestone and we look forward to celebrating 40 more years.”