Rainbow Cone goes mobile with summer locations

By Bob Bong

Venerable Rainbow Cone in recent years has stretched its reach beyond the Beverly neighborhood where it has ruled as the premier ice cream destination for almost a century.

Brick-and-mortar locations can now be found in Lombard, Darien, Lakemoor and Skokie.

In addition, the company began experimenting with mobile sales in 2020 when it built its first Rainbow Cone truck.

“We built our first one in 2020,” said John Buonavolanto, sales manager. “Sales were so good last year we added some this year.”

A Rainbow Cone truck is permanently stationed at Lincoln Park Zoo, 1911 N. Stockton Drive in Chicago, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The truck can be found just south of Café Brauer near the Farm-in-the-Zoo. Another truck can be found near the Shedd Aquarium, 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Logistics make it hard to park a truck on Navy Pier, but there’s a Rainbow Cone stand open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

In addition, there are two trucks that move around the Chicago area on a week-to-week basis, said Buonavolanto. You can find where the trucks will be parked at www.rainbowcone.com/truck-finder/

“You can usually find them at festivals, but they can be requested for appearances at parties,” he said.

He said the trucks offer the same five delicious flavors found at the original Rainbow Cone. “We also have cookies and cream as well as vegan ice cream. We have something for everyone.”

The trucks also carry Rainbow Cone merchandise, such as T-shirts.

Buonavolanto said the trucks also do a brisk business in Rainbow Cone quarts.

“We noticed in 2020, that people would buy four or five quarts at a time.”

Each truck has a team of two to four employees and the trucks carry a lot of ice cream.

“Luckily, we have not run out of ice cream since our first year,” Buonavolanto said.

Rainbow Cone was founded in 1926 by “Grandpa Joe” Sapp, who was never satisfied with just one ice cream flavor. Rainbow Cone features five delicious flavors on a single cone, including chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House, pistachio, and orange sherbet. Rather than scooped, the ice cream is stacked and can be enjoyed on a cake, waffle or sugar cone, or in a cup.

Buona Beef’s Buonavolanto family entered into a joint business partnership with The Original Rainbow Cone’s Lynn Sapp three years ago.

“We’ve started some new ventures together,” Buonavolanto said.

Since launching the partnership, Rainbow Cone opened a new standalone location in Lombard in May of 2021. Rainbow Cone first expanded in 2016 when it opened at Navy Pier.

For more information, visit www.rainbowcone.com.

James & Sons expands to Naperville

Orland Park’s James & Sons Fine Jewelers recently opened its fourth store in downtown Naperville at 110 S. Washington Street.

“We are happy to be here in Naperville,” said store manager Hope Geallis.

“James & Sons is a full-service jeweler,” said Geallis, who joined the company last year with an eye toward managing the Naperville store. She has 22 years of experience in the jewelry business.

“We sell fine jewelry across the board,” she said including engagement rings, gifts, and watches, as well as offering jewelry repairs, and estate and insurance appraisals.

The 2,600-square-foot Naperville store is only the second James & Sons store to feature Rolex watches. The iconic timepieces are also sold at the Orland Park store.

“We’re the only one in the surrounding area in Naperville. Starting in the fall, we will have a jeweler on-site who is certified to make repairs on Rolex watches.”

The Naperville store opened in December and held its ribbon cutting grand opening on May 26 to coincide with the opening of the Rolex department.

James & Sons was started by James Sunderland in a shopping center in Calumet City in 1964. There are now stores in Naperville, Orland Park, Schererville, Ind., and Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Palos Heights Family Dental has new office

Dr. Umang Patel, a local dentist who owns Palos Heights Family Dental and Romeoville Dental Center, is pleased to announce they have officially moved and opened their doors to a new Palos Heights Family Dental office located at 6446 W. 127th Street in Palos Heights, from their old offices on College Drive.

“There are many updates,” Patel said. “Our patients can maintain an even more comfortable distance in our waiting room, we have more flexibility with scheduling, and additional opportunities to care for our patients. Plus, it’s a beautifully renovated, state-of-the-art office, equipped with the latest technologies. You should expect to get the same quality care as usual. We can’t wait to have our patients visit!”

Patel worked with local pediatric dentist, Richard Facko, to renovate the building which was built in 1964. Construction to the building started late last year. The two-story, stand-alone 6,000-square-foot building is double the space of their previous office. Patel’s office is located on the first floor and Facko’s practice is located on the second floor.

To learn more about Palos Heights Family Dental visit, www.palosheightsfamilydental.com or Romeoville Dental Center, visit, www.romeovillesmiles.com

159^th Street lane closures in South Holland

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that replacement of overhead lighting on 159^th Street (U.S. 6), just east of the Bishop Ford Freeway (Interstate 94), near Van Dam Road, in South Holland, started Monday, July 11.

The project, which consists of replacing the existing high mast light towers with new LED lighting, is anticipated to be completed in October.

Motorists can expect delays and should allow extra time for trips through this area. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to flaggers and signs in the work zones, obey the posted speed limits and be on the alert for workers and equipment.

If you see a new business in town or wonder what happened to an old favorite, drop me a line at bobbong@hotmail.com.