A downtown frozen dessert shop has expanded its offerings to include not just food but a miniature golf course.

Polar Bites at 401 E. Eighth St. in the Eighth & Railroad complex decided to offer a six-hole course to enhance its goal of offering an outing that goes beyond a frozen treat.

“We want it to be more about an experience than getting ice cream,” said Jess Rooney, who co-owns Polar Bites and Dakota Snow with her husband, Matt. “You can see the ice cream being made, you can see us pouring multiple colors. Into the shaved ice, we have color-change spoons.”

Friends of the Rooneys, Bob and Sami Tomshack, suggested adding a miniature golf course to the downtown business after seeing something similar while they were traveling.

“They sent us pictures and we loved it,” Jess Rooney said.

Bob Tomshack helped the Rooneys build the course, which has obstacles on each hole.

The course was installed in the back of the ice cream shop where two long tables that were rarely utilized once stood. If the golf course proves popular, there is space to expand it with three more holes, Rooney said.

Having a downtown space frees the Rooneys to try new things. Matt Rooney works at Citibank and Jess Rooney co-owns a dance studio. They started their frozen-treat business in 2015. Now, Polar Bites will distinguish the East Eighth and 41st Street locations from the Rooneys’ two food trucks used for events and catering, Dakota Snow.

With the Eighth Street Polar Bites, the business now will operate year-round. Its hours will expand to 1 to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday this Friday.

Friday also marks the opening of the 41st Street Polar Bites. Its hours will be 1 to 9 p.m. every day, likely through the last weekend in August. Originally known as Sub Zero Desserts when it opened in a customized shipping container next to Roxi’s & Co. pet supply store, it generally has opened in mid-April in past years. This year, the weather didn’t cooperate.

“I like to wait until temperatures are steady mid-70s until opening up,” Rooney said. “Since there’s no inside, people have to sit outside or in cars.”

Polar Bites and Dakota Snow offer more than 40 flavors for their shaved-ice treats along with toppings such as crushed candy and sprinkles. When it comes to rolled ice cream, it can be made in suggested combinations or customized as the customer desires. It also can be allergy friendly.

The Rooneys encourage their staff to come up with different ideas. At Easter, “dirt” cups with holiday Peeps were offered. Despite the variety, customers have their favorites.

“Rainbow shaved ice,” Rooney said. “Shark attack signature shaved ice. And two more—cookie monster rolled ice cream or the pineapple Dole whip.” The shark attack shaved ice offers blue raspberry flavoring with vanilla ice cream, Sour Patch kids and a gummy shark.

They also have tried making cake pops and are considering offering soup and paninis this winter. Since this week is National Tourism Week, Polar Bites created a special version of cookies-n-cream ice cream with a special Mount Rushmore Oreo cookie on top.

“This space is freeing us up to be able to do a lot more,” Rooney said of the new location.