What started as a small idea at a kitchen table has grown into a multi-faceted, family-run business serving smiles across Cook County and beyond.
Sara Tanner, a Blue Island resident and owner of Paradise Sweets & Eats LLC, opened the snack shop’s Palos Hills location inside the Palos Lanes Bowling Center in February 2023 with her husband, Harry Tanner. The shop offers classic comfort foods alongside sweet treats, including its popular milkshakes.
“This business was really born out of my desire to contribute financially while still being present for my kids,” Tanner said. “I was a stay-at-home mom with two little boys at the time, and I wanted something that fit our family life but also allowed us to grow.”
Paradise Sweets & Eats is family-owned and operated, built around community, quality and connection. Tanner said the bowling alley location has allowed the shop to become a gathering place for families looking for a simple, welcoming treat.
“I love that people come in after bowling, sit together and just enjoy being together,” she said. “That sense of connection is what we’ve always wanted to create.”
Beyond the brick-and-mortar shop, the business operates two ice cream trucks. One serves the Hoopeston, Illinois, area as a traditional neighborhood ice cream truck, while the second focuses on private events, schools, churches and community gatherings throughout Cook County.
The idea for the ice cream side of the business was driven by more than entrepreneurship. Tanner said one of her children is severely allergic to peanuts, which often made traditional ice cream outings impossible.
“Our 9-year-old could never enjoy local ice cream trucks or shops because of the risk,” she said. “Creating a nut-free option wasn’t just a business decision — it was personal.”
The snack shop and one of the ice cream trucks are completely nut-free, offering families a safer option that Tanner said has resonated with parents across the area.
Serving children and families, particularly youth and at-risk youth, remains a core mission of Paradise Sweets & Eats. The business frequently partners with local organizations to provide free or sponsored treats at community events.
“Kids and community are a huge driving force for us,” Tanner said. “If we can brighten someone’s day, even in a small way, that’s what matters.”
Recent outreach has included serving visiting families at the Cook County Jail and supporting a local hospital’s pediatric cancer center summer picnic for multiple seasons.
From block parties and corporate events to back-to-school backpack giveaways and end-of-school celebrations, Tanner said the variety of events is part of what makes the work rewarding.
“We love it all,” she said. “Every event is different, but the joy on people’s faces is always the same.”
Looking ahead, Paradise Sweets & Eats is preparing for its next phase of growth with plans to open an ice cream distribution warehouse in the coming months. While the final location has not yet been determined, Tanner said the expansion represents an important milestone.
“This next step is about sustainability and continuing to serve the communities that have supported us from the start,” she said. “We’re excited to see where it leads.”
