Celebrating a Century of Original Rainbow Cone in Beverly

A line of eager customers stretched around the Original Rainbow Cone’s charming pink-painted storefront in Beverly on Sunday afternoon. Fans gathered to commemorate a century of the cherished ice cream treat.

For Beth Roland, the occasion held special meaning. Over the years, six of her children worked as teenagers at the shop. When two of her sons tied the knot, Rainbow Cone owners Joe and Katherine Sapp sent rainbow cakes for the celebrations. “They packed many a cone,” she recalled, reflecting on her children’s experiences.

Meanwhile, Rosemary Smith shared fond memories of visiting the shop during her childhood. “Grandpa took us all the time,” said the 80-year-old, remembering the family trips from Bridgeport to Beverly.

The shop celebrated its milestone with a festive atmosphere, featuring balloons, temporary tattoos, and a giant cake shaped like an ice cream cone. This cake included the iconic Rainbow Cone layers of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House, and pistachio almond ice creams, finished with a topping of orange sherbet.

Last month, the shop collaborated with the Museum of Ice Cream to host an exhibit in honor of its centennial.

Rainbow Cone, which has been a regional treasure since 1926, heralds the arrival of summer for generations of Chicago residents. The cone’s eye-catching combination of flavors is made using a unique slicing scoop, ensuring the wide, flat layers remain intact.

Over the decades, the shop has garnered a dedicated following. Lynn Sapp, granddaughter of the original owners, mentioned that the loyalty even led some fans to get tattoos of the cone. “That’s the loyalty this product invokes,” she said, observing the enthusiastic crowd.

In the mix of attendees was Alderman Matt O’Shea, 19th Ward, who reminisced about growing up nearby. “On summer nights, my father used to say to me and my siblings, ‘If everyone finishes their dinner, we can walk up to Rainbow Cone,’” he said.

Alderman O’Shea emphasized the significant impact Rainbow Cone has on the Beverly community. It draws visitors citywide and serves as a stepping stone for many teens entering the workforce. “They’re not just a small business in the community, they’re an institution,” he stated.

Despite the many changes over the years, Sapp noted that “the cone’s never wavered.” She added, “With all the gimmicks out there, the hundred-year cone is still working.”