Original Rainbow Cone Sets Opening Date for 2017 Season

CHICAGO, IL -- Like the sighting of the first robin, Original Rainbow Cone has set an opening date of Saturday, March 4, when it will reopen for the 2017 season, which means spring is surely on its way. The shop will open at noon.

The Beverly ice cream parlor at 9233 S. Western Ave. was founded in 1926 by Joseph and Katherine Sapp,. At the time, Chicago only went as far south as Bridgeport, but Joseph Sapp could see that Western Avenue would become a major thoroughfare. Sapp and his wife also wanted to take advantage of the many visitors to the area’s cemeteries, who would stop by for a sweet, cool treat, according to a history on the store’s website.

Original Rainbow Cone’s signature item is an ice cream cone piled high with five flavors, including chocolate, strawberry, Palmer house and pistachio ice cream, sliced into segments and topped off with orange sherbet.

Today, Original Rainbow Cone is owned and operated by the Sapps’ granddaughter, Lynn, who has expanded the business to participating in such summer events as Taste of Chicago, local neighborhood festivals and even a kiosk at Chicago’s Navy Pier.

Keep track of Original Rainbow Cone happenings on the ice cream parlor’s Facebook page.