The Original Rainbow Cone, a Chicago tradition for nearly 100 years, arrives in Bradenton area

James A. Jones Jr.
·3 min read

The Original Rainbow Cone, which features five stacked slabs of colorful ice cream and has been a tradition in Chicago for nearly 100 years, opened this week in Bradenton’s Lockwood Commons shopping center at 4414 53rd Ave. E.

It’s the brand’s first franchise outside of Illinois.

The rainbow cone is named for its slices of chocolate, strawberry, Palmer House, pistachio and orange sherbet flavors.

Palmer House refers to the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago and includes New York vanilla with cherries and walnuts.

Franchise owners Erica and David Campbell, third-generation Rainbow Cone customers, say that they hope to open more locations in Manatee County.

“I grew up in Chicago and I loved riding my bike to see that beautiful pink building,” Erica said of her hometown ice cream shop. “Seeing them every summer slice the five flavors on a cone was a marvelous experience as a kid. The cone is as artistic as it is delicious.”

The Original Rainbow Cone opened this week in Bradenton’s Lockwood Commons shopping center at 4414 53rd Ave. E.
The Original Rainbow Cone opened this week in Bradenton’s Lockwood Commons shopping center at 4414 53rd Ave. E.

While the rainbow cone is the shop’s signature treat, ice cream lovers can also choose from a variety of flavors, including cookie dough, butter pecan, black walnut, cookies and cream, mint flake, New York vanilla, or chocolate peanut butter.

Also available are shakes, sundaes and cakes.

The scoops come in cups and cones, as well as in quarts and pints..

The company was founded in 1926 by Joe Sapp, a Buick mechanic. Despite the arrival of the Great Depression a few years later, The Original Rainbow Cone grew and prospered, becoming so iconic that it is featured on the official webpage of the Illinois Office of Tourism.

This week, Joe Sapp’s granddaughter, Lynn Sapp, was in Bradenton for the opening of the new ice cream shop.

The Original Rainbow Cone opened this week in Bradenton’s Lockwood Commons shopping center at 4414 53rd Ave. E.
The Original Rainbow Cone opened this week in Bradenton’s Lockwood Commons shopping center at 4414 53rd Ave. E.

“We wanted to franchise and we wanted rainbows everywhere,” Sapp said.

John Buonavolanto, director of franchise partnerships for The Original Rainbow Cone, was also in Bradenton.

Franchises are also coming to Tampa, Orlando and Key West, as well as California, Texas and Tennessee, he said.

“We’re starting to build that momentum,” Buonavolanto said.

The new ice cream shop hosted a benefit night Monday evening and donated all proceeds to Make-A-Wish Southern Florida.

“I am honored to introduce Rainbow Cone to Florida and to bring this beloved cone to both legacy and first-time customers,” Erica Campbell said. “My family and I take great pride in our community involvement, from supporting Make-A-Wish to Little League and beyond.”

The official grand opening for the public was 11 a.m. Tuesday.

“For nearly a century, we have been delighting Chicagoans with our unique flavors, creating a beloved destination that’s become a part of their lives,” Lynn Sapp said in a press release.

“Today, we are equally thrilled to share our legacy and tradition with the wonderful people of Florida, aiming to establish the same cherished destination that has captivated generations in Chicago,” Sapp said.

The Bradenton store will be open 11 a.m.-10 p.m. seven days a week. The store is between a Vacci pizza restaurant and a Chicken Salad Chick restaurant.

For more information about The Original Rainbow Cone’s Bradenton location, visit https://rainbowcone.com/locations/bradenton-florida/.