Beloved West Michigan Dessert Shop Shuts Down After More Than a Decade

A longtime West Michigan dessert favorite is closing its doors after more than a decade in business.

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A Local Dessert Staple for More Than a Decade

Barry G’s Italian Ice, located on 68th Street SE in Dutton, announced this week that it will permanently close. While there isn’t a ton of formal history online, social media posts suggest the shop has been serving the Grand Rapids area since at least 2012, building a loyal following along the way.

If you’ve been around Grand Rapids-area festivals or community events over the years, you may have also spotted their mobile setup serving up frozen treats on the go.

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Known for Homemade Treats and Rotating Flavors

The shop offered a wide variety of desserts, including Italian ice, ice cream, sundaes, shakes, and malts, along with homemade waffle cones.

It also stood out for its Italian ice recipe, developed by owner Gregg “Barry G” Reed himself, plus rotating monthly flavors that kept things interesting with creative combinations.

READ MORE: Grand Rapids All-Day Breakfast Joint Might Close For Good Soon

Recent Health Struggles Shared by the Owner’s Family

In recent months, the business shared updates on Facebook about Reed’s health and recovery. In January, a post noted he had undergone surgery. By February, updates said he was dealing with health complications and that his son had stepped in to run day-to-day operations. The shop later closed temporarily due to ongoing health issues, and a GoFundMe was launched to help with medical expenses, though it has since been taken down.

Earlier this week, the final announcement confirmed the shop would close permanently due to the decline in Reed’s health.

Customers Remember a Community Gathering Spot

Following the announcement customers are sharing their memories and appreciation for Barry G's.

Brad writes,

I loved talking with Gregg about history and current events as much as I loved eating his ice cream. He has a great depth of knowledge on numerous topics and I liked going in when I knew he might have time to talk. I will miss our conversations more than the ice cream, although I'll miss that a lot, too.

Morgan says,

I can only hope someone wants to purchase and prolong this legacy- he put his heart into his recipes and creations, and you could feel his love for this community.

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The closure brings an end to a locally loved business that had been part of the community for more than a decade.