A Century of Rainbow Cone: Celebrating 100 Years of Chicago’s Iconic Treat

On Sunday, the Original Rainbow Cone’s pink-painted Beverly storefront buzzed with excitement. Customers gathered to celebrate a century of the beloved ice cream treat.

For many, the event was deeply personal. Beth Roland, who has a strong connection with the shop, shared that six of her children worked there as teenagers. When two of her sons got married, Rainbow Cone owners Joe and Katherine Sapp gifted them rainbow cakes. “They packed many a cone,” Roland reflected.

Others, like Rosemary Smith, reminisced about childhood visits. “Grandpa took us all the time,” said Smith, now 80, recalling how her family traveled from Bridgeport to Beverly for an ice cream visit.

The celebration included balloons, temporary tattoos, and a giant cake resembling Rainbow Cone’s signature style. This signature features layered slices of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House, pistachio almond ice creams, and orange sherbet. Last month, Rainbow Cone collaborated with the Museum of Ice Cream for a centennial exhibit.

The store marked their 100th birthday on August 9, 2026, drawing crowds to Beverly. Rainbow Cone has been a regional favorite since 1926, heralding summer for Chicagoans with its unique stack of flavors. The special slicing scoop shapes these broad, flat layers while ensuring the ice cream structure remains intact.

Rainbow Cone has garnered a loyal following over the decades. Lynn Sapp, granddaughter of the original owners, noted its influence. “It’s even inspired tattoos among its most dedicated fans,” she said. The store was bustling with admirers, including Alderman Matt O’Shea, 19th.

“I grew up nearby,” O’Shea recounted. “Summer nights meant a walk to Rainbow Cone if we finished dinner.” The shop has played a significant role in Beverly, drawing people from all over Chicago and offering first jobs to many teenagers.

“They are not just a small business; they’re an institution,” O’Shea stated.

Despite the changing times, Lynn Sapp reaffirmed, “the cone’s never wavered.” With many trends coming and going, the hundred-year cone remains a beloved constant.