Just in time for summer, Melting Moments opened its doors with a brand new twist — a barbecue sandwich shop.

Backyard Bar-B-Q adds a different flavor to the ice-cream parlor and the downtown food scene.

"One thing we have is our signature product, the pulled pork," said Jim Johnson, owner of Backyard Bar-B-Q. "What we pride ourselves on is a fast, friendly, quality operation. We take that as our No. 1 goal."

In addition to Backyard Bar-B-Q's signature barbecued pork, beef, and chicken sandwiches, the restaurant also sells sandwiches ranging from veggie to Philly Steak, as well as a variety of salads.

After being in business for more than 10 years, Melting Moments is Backyard Bar-B-Q's newest location, with other restaurants at 301 S. Washington Square and 2329 Jolly Road.

Business at Backyard Bar-B-Q is slow because of the smaller MSU population in the summer, Johnson said. So he is relying on word-of-mouth and passers-by to have more people trying his sandwiches.

"What is encouraging is that we've seen a lot of repeat business," Johnson said. "We're happy to be a part of the East Lansing community, a big part of the pulse of Lansing."

Lansing Community College student Ken Kolp visited Backyard Bar-B-Q on Monday for the first time after hearing about it from a friend.

"It's pretty cool," he said. "Five bucks for a sandwich is pretty decent."

Although Michigan is suffering from a struggling economy, the East Lansing community and the large university population typically don't feel its effects, said Tim Dempsey, East Lansing community and economic development administrator.

"Some of the larger economic impacts don't trickle down here," Dempsey said. "(Johnson) is in an industry that can ride it out, people still need to eat. He's a new business, but I think that he sees what a lot of people see: That the need for local business remains."

With regional and national franchise restaurants filling downtown East Lansing, Johnson said he can face the competition.

"Competition is good, we've never feared competition," Johnson said. "We can make quick changes, we are flexible and we are in touch with the East Lansing community."

Backyard Bar-B-Q owner Johnson and Melting Moments owner Mark Geovjian are excited about the partnership.

Under the same roof, customers can find a unique combination of food and dessert, Geovjian said. Melting Moments now offers gelato, made in-house, and they are the only ice-cream shop in the area to offer the Italian treat.