The Desert's Sweet Escape
by Jennifer Spraberry

What does it take to run the best tropical dessert company in the USA? Lots of fun, lots of snow, and a few of the best Bahama Buck's owners this side of the Pacific. Bahama Buck's owners Albert Schmizer and Lance and Karen Packer have transformed Mesa, Arizona into the perfect desert oasis escape.

While Karen is the motivational force behind the team, Lance interacts with guests and gets to know the regulars on a first name basis. Al, known as the 'behind the scenes' guy, uses his business and legal expertise to guide the trio. "Al and I work well together." states Lance, "We have the same vision and goals for Bahama Buck's."

Utah natives Lance and Karen first met Al, a New Yorker, at church in Mesa. "He is a great friend. He can't sing worth a darn and doesn't dance, but he's as quick as a whip and a whole lot smarter than I am. Come to think of it though, I'm pretty smart to have him as a partner," Lance boasts.

Lance first learned of Bahama Buck's when his son Andrew worked for Richard Cooper, Bahama Buck's original franchisee and longtime owner of the Bahama Buck's on East Southern Drive. Lance was most attracted to Bahama Buck's by the fun, clean, light environment. "It is a fun place for kids and my favorite thing about owning a Bahama Buck's is having the control and responsibility for my own successes," Lance says. "also, all the kids who work in the shop make everything more fun. We have a great Avalanche Crew, who enjoy each other and have fun with the customers."

Lance and Karen are anticipating the opening of their second store soon, with a third store opening next year. "My goal is to have a half dozen stores in the East Valley. We want to continue to expand Bahama Buck's."

This dynamic team, along with a well trained crew and snowy mountains of shaved ice make Bahama Buck's a true tropical oasis in the Arizona desert.

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