Warmer weather often prompts people to seek cool treats but ice cream shops look different this season because of coronavirus restrictions.
“It’s been constantly changing since March. Like a lot of people we take it day by day,” said Jillian Hersted, an owner of Creamery in Frankfort, Mokena and Orland Hills.
After the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic on March 11, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered bars and restaurants closed to dine-in customers by the end of business on March 16 and issued a stay-at-home order effective March 21 and extended until at least May 30.
Here is the dish on Creamery in Frankfort, Mokena and Orland Hills:
On the menu: “We’re the quintessential walk-up ice cream shop,” said Hersted of Mokena.
About the owners: Hersted, her sister Jodi McCarthy of Frankfort and their father, New Lenox resident David Ciarlette, senior partner with accounting firm Ciarlette & Robbins LLP in Mokena, were the winning bidders in an auction for the Creamery sites in Frankfort, Mokena and Orland Hills in 2015.
A mission statement: “We just want to continue to be part of making the community a happy place,” said Hersted about the original Creamery, which opened in 1981 in Frankfort and has an Instagram-worthy large cow statue, and locations that opened in 2004 in Mokena and 2005 in Orland Hills.
How we’ve adapted to coronavirus concerns: Creamery temporarily closed its Frankfort and Mokena locations March 22 but reopened April 7 in Mokena and May 1 in Frankfort.
“During the time we were closed we revamped safety procedures including installing sneeze guards at our walk-up windows to protect our staff and our customers,” Hersted said.
“Gloves are changed between every transaction. Masks are worn. We’re careful about how many people we’re scheduling at a time. Safety is the priority.”
Specialties: Candyland sundae, dairy-free Dole Whip, edible cookie dough, handmade novelties and waffle cone with Krunch Kote.
“Our classic soft-serve cones are our biggest seller,” Hersted said.
“Probably our other most popular item is our Blaster, which is soft-serve ice cream and you can pick whatever candies you want to mix in.”
We’re different because: “We have the Original Rainbow Cone, which is a Chicago classic,” said Hersted about items from the longtime business in Chicago’s Beverly community.
How you can help: Free cone coupons and gift cards can be purchased onsite.
“We’ve had customers buy delivery for essential workers or for family members. That’s a really nice surprise,” Hersted said.
Prices: Start at $1.99 for edible cookie dough or handmade novelties and specialty items, $2.49 for cones and cups, $3.29 for Dole Whip, $3.79 for sundaes, $3.99 for floats, freezes and sodas or shakes and malts, $4.29 for Blasters or favorites, $4.49 for the Original Rainbow Cone cones and cups; and $27.99 for the Original Rainbow Cone rainbow cake roll.
Sandwiches and snacks, which are available in Frankfort and Mokena and will be available beginning on Memorial Day in Orland Hills, start at $3.75 for hot dogs, $3.79 for beef sandwiches or sloppy Joes, $3.99 for chili, $4.49 for nachos and $4.89 for taco bowl.
Logistics: Creamery is at 459 W. Nebraska St., Frankfort; 19100 Wolf Road, Mokena; and 9320 171st St., Orland Hills. Pickup and delivery via DoorDash and Grubhub are available. Drive-thru is available in Mokena and Orland Hills. Delivery for the Mokena location also is available via Uber Eats. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily in Frankfort and Mokena and 2-9 p.m. daily (11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily beginning on Memorial Day) in Orland Hills. Call 815-469-2107 (Frankfort), 708-479-5706 (Mokena), 708-873-1297 (Orland Hills) or go to mycreamery.com.
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Would you like your Southland restaurant to be featured in a dining profile? Contact wweber@tribpub.com with the name and location of your establishment and a person’s contact information. At this time, we are only taking places that offer a carryout and/or delivery option.
