Schewe started Billie’s Frozen Yogurt Shop in 2022 but was forced to close in fall 2024. Rhode, who operates Sugar Jets food truck out of Niagara, Wis., was looking for a building to provide a fixed location for the business.

“I put the building up for sale last year. And she called me about buying it and we decided to collaborate and see how it went for a year or so and hopefully we do well,” Schewe said.

“I reached out and got to talking to Mariah. We’d love to open and provide food and drinks to the public and make it even better than it was before,” Rhode said. “It’s great for me because I didn’t necessarily want to buy a building. If Sugar Jets ever became a building, it would be something like this.”

They have rebranded the business as Sugar Jets & Billie’s. It will still offer the items Billie’s was known for — bubble tea, dirty sodas made with fountain soda mixed with cream and flavorings, healthy energy drinks and, of course, frozen yogurt. There is a self-serve frozen yogurt bar with a number of toppings. They have dairy-free options as well.

Sugar Jets & Billie’s plans to reopen the business on Iron Mountain's north side April 16. (Marguerite Lanthier/Daily News photo)

“When I would travel with my kids we would always go to fro yo shops all over. I just thought it was nice for the U.P. to have what the larger cities have,” Schewe said.

They will add a variety of paninis, wraps and salads to the selections, with perhaps an occasional burger special as well.

There will have a drive-thru window so people don’t have to leave their vehicles, but customers also can order inside, plus outdoor seating for those who want to enjoy their food or drinks on site.

Door Dash delivery will be available as well.

Schewe said they plan to be at Out to Lunch concert series in downtown Iron Mountain several times this summer.

The Sugar Jets food truck already has become a fixture at a number of special events and venues in the area. But the food truck menu often changes depending on who is working, Rhode explained.

This gives customers a known place to seek them out.

“It (the combined business) is a similar concept to a food truck, but it’s better for the public and with a consistent menu,” Rhode said. “I have the entire summer booked out right now (for the food truck), but it’s hardly ever in the same place.”

The grand reopening is planned for Thursday, April 16. “People seem very excited about it,” Rhode said.

The hours will be 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. They will be closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Sugar Jets & Billie’s is at 408 E. Grand Blvd., along U.S. 2 in north Iron Mountain. The business can be contacted at 906-828-1040 or on Facebook.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.