Frozen dessert shop opens in Cahaba Heights
Bahama Bucks
A Bahama Bucks employee puts the final touches on a Tiger’s Blood shaved ice treat. Photo by Katie Turpen.
There’s a new place in town to pick up fluffy shaved ice spheres this summer.
Bahama Bucks, a business specializing in frozen desserts, opened in Cahaba Heights in March. The Sno2Throw party special is one of several party packs the store offers.
The Bahama Bucks concept began in Lubbock, Texas, and has since expanded across the country. The Vestavia location is the first Birmingham location, but franchise owner Jay Yarborough is also set to open one in Pelham as well as Tuscaloosa.
“We focus on the experience,” said Yarborough. “We want customers to walk in, take a mini vacation from the real world and escape for just a moment.”
When guests walk in the store, they see the tropical theme incorporated from floor to ceiling, with surfboards and tiki hut décor attached to the walls. The theme carries over into best-selling items like the Bahama Rama Mama. They start with a scoop of Blue Bell vanilla ice cream and then add shaved ice and flavors of customer’s choice. The whole thing is topped off with Tropic Crème. Shaved ice flavors include everything from Sugar Cookie to Coconut Crème Pie to Cherry Colada, all of which Yarborough said are well researched.
Additionally, the store also offers smoothies, fruit cups, frozen coffee drinks, lemonades/limeades and sodas. Yarborough says he has been pleased with business. Bahama Buck’s Paradise Party Pack serves 25 and includes everything you need to make your own snow cones.
“People still come all the way from Texas,” he said. “We see everyone from youth groups to little league teams.”
Yarborough said he wants to be an integral part of the community. Bahama Bucks will be offering specials for Teacher Appreciation Week in May and also has program called BEEP (Buck’s Encouraging Education Program), which supports local students by rewarding accomplishments and developing teacher-student rapport. Educational programs in need of sponsorship should contact the store directly, he said.
“We want to give back to the schools through fundraising,” he said. “We are proud to be a part of the Vestavia Hills community.”
