Making its home at 2973 Duff Road, Lakeland’s namesake Lakeland Ice Cream Company offers a selection of ice cream offerings “featuring premium, hand-dipped ice cream, with over 60 flavors!” And according to a plan review submitted recently by Lakeland BBQ Company LLC, Lakeland Ice Cream Company South appears to be taking this big selection to a second location, this time at 2972 Lakeland Highlands Road.
Behind Lakeland BBQ Company LLC is local pitmaster Joel Vann, who together with his wife Melissa Vann, launched a barbecue catering service under that name in 2015, followed that same year by a brick-and-mortar location called Polk City BBQ, according to coverage by Haven Magazines. Lakeland Ice Cream was born several years later, in 2020.
The Vanns also own Mulberry Ice Cream, Dade City BBQ, and Frostproof BBQ.
“The Duff Road ice cream shop offers over 60 flavors of ice cream, including sugar-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free options,” says the Haven coverage. “Fan favorites fill the freezers like Strawberry, Coffee, Rum Raisin, and Cherries’ n Cream. Their specialty flavors steal the show, like Red Velvet Cake, Carrot Cake, Elephant Ears (vanilla ice cream swirled with peanut butter and chocolate chips), and Garbage Can (with seven name-brand candy bars mixed in).”
What Now reached out to Joel Vann on Tuesday to inquire about a new Lakeland Ice Cream Company location on Lakeland Highlands. Vann was not immediately available to discuss the project.
