There are two new scoops from Van Leeuwen as the company is now expanding into Chicago.
It was recently reported by Crain’s Chicago Business that Van Leeuwen is planning two new ice cream spots at Willis Tower, 233 S Wacker Drive, and in Wicker Park at 1555 N Damon Avenue. This marks the company’s first expansion into the Windy City.
This is part of a larger expansion plan in Willis Tower as Mendocino Farms and Cava, a Mediterranean fast-casual restaurant, will also be moving into the base of the tower. Cava will be at the main entrance to Jackson Boulevard. Van Leeuwen will be along Franklin street and is opening “later this year” with no specific date.
Van Leeuwen currently owns and operates over 70 shops across the country. The company has been around since 2008 and has varieties of both dairy and vegan ice creams, including peanut butter brownie honeycomb, cookies & cream caramel swirl and churros and fudge are a few of the vegan flavors they offer. The company is credited as New York Times’ best vanilla ice cream.
On the website, the second location is listed as Bucktown but is actually in Wicker Park at the corner of N Damon Avenue and N Milwaukee Avenue. On the other side of the same building is Foxtrot Market cafe.
Both Chicago locations at the Willis Tower and in Bucktown are listed on the website as “coming soon.” Rumors of new shops in the city started to spread on social media in April.
What Now Chicago has reached out to Van Leeuwen, and this article may be updated.
