The Original Rainbow Cone’s pink-painted storefront in Beverly, Chicago, became a hub of activity on Sunday afternoon. Customers were eager to celebrate a remarkable milestone—a century of serving the iconic confection.
For many, including Beth Roland, this event had personal significance. Six of Roland’s children had once worked at the shop during their teenage years. When her two sons got married, the shop owners, Joe and Katherine Sapp, sent them rainbow cakes. Reflecting on this, Roland remarked, “They packed many a cone.”
Similarly, Rosemary Smith recalled fond childhood memories of visiting the shop. At 80, she remembered how her grandfather would often take the family there from Bridgeport, a journey they cherished.
The shop’s centennial celebration was marked by balloons, temporary tattoos, and a giant cake that resembled Rainbow Cone’s signature creation. This included layered slices of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House, and pistachio almond ice creams, topped with orange sherbet.
In collaboration with the Museum of Ice Cream, Rainbow Cone launched an exhibit last month that paid homage to its hundred-year existence. On August 9, 2026, customers arrived at the Beverly neighborhood to witness the festivities and honor this iconic establishment.
Rainbow Cone has been a regional landmark since 1926, symbolizing summer for generations in Chicago. Its unique stack of flavors comes from a special slicing scoop that shapes the cone’s wide, flat layers and ensures stability. Over the years, the shop cultivated a loyal customer base. Lynn Sapp, the granddaughter of the founders, noted that some fans even got tattoos inspired by the cone. “That’s the loyalty this product invokes,” she commented on the crowded shop.
Among the attendees was Alderman Matt O’Shea of the 19th ward, who grew up mere blocks away. Reminiscing, he shared, “On summer nights, my father would tell us, ‘If everyone finishes their dinner, we can walk up to Rainbow Cone.'”
Rainbow Cone’s influence on Beverly extends beyond its sweet offerings. O’Shea observed that it has brought people from all over the city and provided many teenagers with their first jobs. “They’re not just a small business in the community, they’re an institution,” he emphasized.
Despite changes over the years, Lynn Sapp affirmed, “The cone’s never wavered.” In a market filled with trends, she believes the century-old cone continues to hold its ground.