CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Suburban Chicago is in for a sweet treat this spring!
The Original Rainbow Cone, a 95-year tradition in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood, is opening a new location in Lombard.
The new location will open at 498 E. Roosevelt Rd. on May 5. It will be the second second brick and mortar store following a seasonal kiosk at Navy Pier. In addition to a new location, Rainbow Cone is also adding four new ice cream trucks to the lineup to bring rainbows to Chicago all summer long, including one available for private events.
What is a Rainbow Cone?
The world-famous "Rainbow Cone" is a 5-flavor combination of chocolate, strawberry, palmer house, pistachio, and orange sherbet, that is sliced —not scooped.
Lynn Sapp, co-owner and granddaughter of Rainbow Cone’s founder explained how her grandfather came up with the creation.
"Back in the day, they gave you a slab of ice cream, because they had no cones, and they served it in what's like a modern french fry carton, like a little flat carton; and that's where he got the idea to put one flavor on top of the other," she said.
Lombard location
The Lombard location will feature Rainbow Cone’s vibrant colors in the interior, creating a welcoming space for friends and family to gather. The exterior will consist of pink and white polka dots, allowing the brand to pop-out amongst its neighbors. The space will have an occupancy of 50 patrons indoors and feature an expansive patio.
“As we work to expand our locations and showcase our new adventures, we are excited to share our love for Rainbow Cone with even more communities," said Lynn Sapp, co-owner and granddaughter of Rainbow Cone’s Founder. “Rainbow Cone is not just about the cone, it’s about creating family memories that last a lifetime.”
The Lombard location will also feature a drive-thru, which is the first of its kind for Rainbow Cone. All menu items will be available for purchase at the drive-thru, including the one of a kind sliced Rainbow Cone and other signature ice cream flavors including Black Walnut, Butter Pecan, New York Vanilla, Cookie Dough, Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Bubble Gum, and Mint Flake.
Guests can indulge in specialty items only available at the Lombard location, including mini donuts and Rainbow Mixers, where guests can blend mix-ins with Rainbow Cone’s signature soft-serve.
Related
Rainbow Cone is also adding to the family by partnering with the third-generation Buonavolanto family. As a third-generation business owner with no children or younger generation of her own to pass Rainbow Cone down to, Lynn Sapp knew she had to find the perfect fit to partner with to ensure the cone lives on for another 95 years. As a team, the two families will take Rainbow Cone to the next level, the company said in a statement. While Lynn will remain an owner of Rainbow Cone, she is partnering with the third-generation Buonavolanto Family to grow the brand. The two families will work hand in hand to expand Rainbow Cone and carry on the traditions that originated in 1926.
“To me, it’s more than just a cone. It’s about family. It takes people who are driven, willing to work hot days, long hours, weekends, and essentially, dedicate their life to it. As third-generation food business owners themselves, The Buonavolanto family is the answer," Sapp said. “After meeting them and watching their family around the table, I immediately knew I had made the right decision. The third-generation Buonavolanto family understands how important it is to honor the legacy of Chicago’s favorite cone. Their only goal is to help bring that cone to as many people as possible.”
To celebrate the grand opening, Rainbow Cone will be hosting a social media giveaway on its Instagram and Facebook platform for three lucky winners to receive free ice cream for a year. The lucky winners will be announced on May 3, two days before the grand opening.
One Lombard resident wrote on Facebook that the whole town is excited.
People from elsewhere asked, "what about us?"