Pete’s Pops is cranking open all five of its seasonal windows this Saturday, and it is celebrating with a tongue-in-cheek buttermilk-ranch popsicle that will stick around only while supplies last. The Milwaukee favorite is heading into its 12th season and bringing back weekend hours across its city windows and suburban spots. Owner Ian Robinson, who bought the business last year, says the team is ready to ramp up into a fuller summer schedule.
Reopening and the novelty flavor
According to Urban Milwaukee, Pete’s Pops will welcome customers at all five locations on Saturday and will pour the spotlight on the buttermilk-ranch popsicle until it runs out. The outlet also notes that the business keeps a mobile pushcart in rotation for farmers markets, special events and catering.
Locations and spring hours
Pete's Pops states that its pops are produced by hand at a Vliet Street production shop and sold through permanent walk-up windows in Milwaukee, plus suburban outposts in West Allis, Whitefish Bay and Grafton. The Vliet shop operates year-round. Spring weekend hours for the seasonal windows are listed as noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, while the Vliet window runs noon to 6 p.m.
New owner keeps the brand's spirit
In a profile with Urban Milwaukee, Robinson, who took over in May 2024 after founder Pete Cooney moved out of state, said he plans to “keep the spirit of Pete's Pops alive.” He told the outlet he is focused on tightening up production so the crew has room to play with new flavors and expand the business at a sustainable pace.
What to expect from the menu
The rotating lineup blends reliable hits and more adventurous experiments. Crowd favorites like blue moon, salted watermelon and red velvet share freezer space with bolder choices such as maple blueberry pancake, pickle lemonade and pineapple jalapeño. Flavors including avocado, orange cream and blackberry limeade appear regularly in the mix, according to Pete's Pops. With hours expected to expand as summer approaches, the company is directing customers to its social media accounts for cart locations and other updates.
