An Iconic Illinois Ice Cream Joint Opening a Rockford Location

When it comes to businesses in Illinois, most of the recent stories you may have read have been about the closing of locations around the state.

READ MORE: 7 Big Brands Closing Illinois Stores in 2024

Walgreens recently announced it would be laying off 5 percent of its workforce and closing more Illinois locations, including the downtown Rockford store.

Other national brands also announced the projected closure of more stores in Illinois before the end of the year.

We also have plenty of good news about businesses that will be opening new locations around Illinois, including a discount grocery chain building new stores in the state.

RELATED: Popular Discount Grocery Opening Stores in IL, FL

And for fans of an iconic Chicago ice cream and Italian beef restaurant, there's excitement about a new store opening soon west of the city.

According to signs posted on E. Riverside Blvd. in Rockford, Illinois, a new location of The Original Rainbow Cone Ice Cream Shop is "coming soon." Many consider Rainbow Cone the best ice cream in Chicago since it opened more than 90 years ago.

The famous "Rainbow Cone" consists of Chocolate, Strawberry, Palmer House, Pistachio ice cream, and orange sherbet. It's been served since 1926, according to their website.

Also coming to the corner of E. Riverside Blvd and Galleria Drive, next to the Rainbow Cone, will be the other Chicago staple Buona Beef.

Buona is "Chicago's Original Italian Beef" and when the Rockford location opens, it will be the furthest west a store has opened outside of Chicago. Buona and Rainbow Cone recently opened a Wisconsin location in Pleasant Prairie, WI.

Construction of the building is happening rapidly and I would expect they hope to be open by this Summer (2024).