Latest news with #Oberweis
Time Out
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time Out
This iconic Midwestern ice cream shop is opening its first new location in five years after a near-closure
For Midwesterners who grew up with a rotating collection of empty glass Oberweis milk jugs in their pantries, the news that Oberweis declared bankruptcy last year was a punch in the gut. The iconic ice cream parlor and dairy store is a beloved locale for nights spent chatting on a bench outside the shop over melting cones and splitting massive shakes with your crush at the checkers tables. But, luckily, this was not goodbye. Private equity firm Hoffman Family of Companies revived the 74-year-old brand after acquiring it for a whopping $21.25 million at auction last summer. The new owner plans to open a dozen new locations throughout Illinois, Missouri and Florida in the next two years. The expansion kicks off with the debut of the first new Oberweis location in five years, set to open at 510 Winnetka Avenue on the North Shore later this month. The new shop will pay homage to iconic Oberweis signatures—red and white interiors, checkerboard tables and the mouthwatering smell of fresh waffle cones—with a modernized twist on classic ice cream parlors. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Oberweis (@oberweisdairy) 'We wanted to bring a fresh perspective to the Oberweis brand while staying true to what our guests know and love,' says Adam Kraber, President and CEO of Hoffmann Oberweis Dairy. 'We're reintroducing beloved elements while also adding exciting new touches, including a full-service ice cream counter, a waffle cone installation and elegant black and gold accents that give the space a refined, modern feel… Our new scoop shop will be a welcoming space for families and individuals of all ages to enjoy premium ice cream and take a joyful pause in their day.' The opening coincides with Oberweis' inaugural season-long Scoop Stakes. Each month, one person from each Midwest store will be awarded a year's worth of ice cream, with one winner claiming the Golden Cone, a grand prize of 100 scoops. For those with kiddos, head to Oberweis on Mondays through Labor Day as the first 20 children under 10 years old get a free scoop with an adult purchase.
Chicago Tribune
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Festival along Fox River gives North Aurora a chance to celebrate
North Aurora's Riverfront Park offered a noticeable buzz over the weekend as the village offered its annual North Aurora Days celebration. An annual event dating back to 1990, the festival has continued to offer music, food and entertainment as well as community interaction including a village-wide garage sale, activities at the local library and more. The two-day event kicked off formally at 5 p.m. Friday with food and beer tents, face painting and balloon art, inflatables for kids to play on, a petting zoo and live music. Saturday offered a fishing derby at Willow Lake Park and a softball tournament at Fearn Park, followed by a Touch-A-Truck opportunity and plenty of food and entertainment. North Aurora Community Relations Coordinator Natalie Stevens said the event has been held the last four years at Riverfront Park along the Fox River after formerly being held at Clocktower Plaza at 19 S. Randall Road. 'We've had a two-day event for years. We see this as a way for the community to come out and have a good time,' Stevens said Friday before the opening of the event. 'North Aurora Days is our largest festival and we pull out all the stops. The biggest thing about our event that's unique is everything here is free for everyone to check out except obviously the food and drinks. 'We have everything from a mechanical bull to a petting zoo and we partnered with the library to do an art program for a community puzzle which subscribes to our idea of community and also their idea of their program of 'Color Our World' so it's fitting to have a colorful puzzle that's being made,' she said. 'We have fireworks Saturday night and it's going to be a great event.' An ice-cream eating contest was added this year on Saturday, thanks to a sponsorship from Oberweis. Richard Newell said he has lived in North Aurora for 31 years and has attended many local festivals in town. 'People keep coming back because of the sense of community and being united as one and the common cause which is to have a good time and enjoy the outdoors and music and some interesting food and just community,' Newell said Friday night. 'After so many times here, my feeling is North Aurora is a vibrant, growing community and there's a lot of life and enthusiasm and diversity.' Guests arrived early Friday night to find a place to listen to the music, grab something to eat or avoid long lines for attractions for the kids. Stacey Torres of North Aurora brought her niece to the event on Friday. 'To me, this is family-friendly and they (families) get to have a lot of fun. We always have a good time here,' Torres said. 'We're going to do the bounce castle, face-painting and then funnel cakes. I think we'll be back tomorrow for the fireworks. We've kind of planned our weekend around this.' Ronessa Krienitz of North Aurora said she has attended North Aurora Days at least half a dozen times and that 'the music, the bouncy house and the face painting' were some of the attractions for her and her daughter. 'This is pretty much all for her now,' Krienitz said looking at her daughter on Friday. 'We'll probably come back tomorrow. To me, this is about community-building and it's just nice for everybody to get together. We always bump into someone we know.' Wilson Morales and his wife Lisa of Montgomery brought their grandson Tristen, 7, who was planning to ride the mechanical bull at the event. 'I think I can handle this. I just saw someone do it,' Tristen said. 'I also want to do the giant slide and get something to eat.' 'I'm looking forward to listening to some music and taking in the air and partake in all the fun activities they have for the kids,' Lisa Morales added. 'It's beautiful here by the river.' Andy Poulos of Batavia was getting his seat ready to listen to some music on Friday night at the festival. 'I think things like this are great for the community. It's great to get the people out here and some food and support the local vendors. It's fantastic,' he said.
Eater
07-07-2025
- Business
- Eater
Redhot Ranch, Chicago's Late-Night Champ, Is Coming to the Suburbs
One of Chicago's best late-night food stands will soon debut a new location outside the city. Redhot Ranch — known for its Chicago-style dogs, affordable and delicious burgers, plus fresh-cut fries and french fried shrimp — is opening in suburban Skokie. Owner Jeff Greenfield describes the news as the latest batch of great restaurant team-ups. Redhot Ranch will share the Skokie space with Oberweis Dairy, the chain of ice cream shops that retained its founders' family name even as the company was sold in 2024 to Hoffmann Family of Companies, a group that includes investment firm Osprey Capital. Oberweis had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier in 2024. Greenfield tells Eater he recently spoke with Oberweis's broker, who suggested Redhot Ranch would be a perfect fit to move into 4811 Dempster Street, a space formerly occupied by That Burger Joint, a minichain with five suburban locations and one in Missouri. RedHot Skokie will offer the same menu as locations in Bucktown, Lakeview, and Bridgeport, with the addition of a new Alaskan cod sandwich. Greenfield is targeting an August opening and says they'll stay open until midnight: 'We really weren't looking, but this offer was hard to refuse,' Greenfield texts. 'But now there is a possibility of more Redhot Ranches.' Greenfield teases the chances of other restaurants collaborating with Redhot Ranch. Alinea and Wieners Circle have already set a precedent, he notes. Chicago's still waiting for that pair to produce any food or any merchandise July's pop-ups are bringing the heat Recovered from the flag-waving and fireworks from Independence Day? Or perhaps you're still in a slumber in celebrating given the current state of the country and world. Regardless, there are a few notable food events to share. DMen Tap in Avondale is hosting its own event to complement the Malört 5K, an annual fundraiser for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Participants don't need to be athletes for the Dmen Tap's fundraiser, the Malört 5k Dungeon Crawl on Saturday, July 18. Those are a lot of words cobbled together. What does that mean? It's a tabletop game marathon in the spirit of Dungeons & Dragons. Register for the event at the link. The actual race is the following weekend on Saturday, July 26. Truce, Eater Chicago 2024 Bar of the Year and a James Beard Award semifinalist, is teaming up with FaFo for July for the bar's Monday Chef Series. FaFo — Chicago culinary veterans Rafa Esparza and Anthony Baier — which briefly held court in Lakeview, has bounced to Sunnygun in West Loop and has started a Friday Fish Fry in Pilsen. Umamicue, which escaped a troubling situation in the Loop, is a regular resident on Thursdays on the Hex Coffee patio. Bring on the smoked meats in Lakeview. Mister Tiger, the family-owned Korean restaurant in West Town, is hosting a Monday pop-up with Haru Haru on Monday, July 28. Book a table via OpenTable. Electric Funeral in Bridgeport has a trio of Saturday pop-ups for July worth noting: On July 12, look out for Morgan Street Snacks. Burgers and More is next on July 19, and Raza's Pizza closes out the month on July 26. See More: Bars Chicago Restaurant News Coming Attractions Pop-Ups
Miami Herald
07-04-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Defunct iconic ice cream brand sells its assets in bankruptcy
The ice cream retail and restaurant sectors have faced several setbacks that led to bankruptcy filings since the Covid-19 pandemic. The most significant bankruptcy in the ice cream industry that was caused by the pandemic was Friendly's Restaurants' bankruptcy filing in November 2020. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The restaurant chain, which is known for its ice cream desserts, sandwiches and burgers, said it faced a catastrophic impact from the Covid-19 pandemic, which cause a decline in revenue as dine-in operations ceased for months and re-opened with limited capacity. Related: Another huge home improvement company files Chapter 11 bankruptcy The owner FIC Restaurants sold its assets to Amici Partners Group LLC in a bankruptcy sale in January 2021. Financial distress also led Midwest ice cream retailer Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy's to filed for Chapter 11 protection on April 12, 2024, to reorganize its business. Oberweis sold its assets to Hoffmann Family of Companies on June 17, 2024, and exited bankruptcy. The company, which opened its first ice cream shop in 1951, operated 43 Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy retail locations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Missouri when it filed for bankruptcy. Oberweis, which was founded in 1927, was a throwback to the heyday of dairies as it still sold its milk in glass bottles and offered home delivery of its dairy defunct ice cream manufacturer Totally Cool Inc., which made products for Friendly's, Hershey's Ice Cream, Abilyn's Frozen Bakery, Jeni's, and ChipWich, has sold its assets for $650,000 through bankruptcy, Baltimore Business Journal reported. Related: Huge auto parts brand files for bankruptcy liquidation Totally Cool filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Aug. 23, 2024, after halting production and distribution and recalling all of its ice cream products two months earlier for potential Listeria monocytogenes contamination. More bankruptcies: Popular restaurant and bar chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular athletic shoe chain files for Chapter 11 bankruptcyAward-winning cosmetics brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Owings Mills, Md., debtor filed its petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland, listing $2 million in assets and $1.4 million in debts, according to its petition. The company in March 2025 reached an agreement to sell its assets to a company called Chill Ice Cream Solutions, the Baltimore Sun reported. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration in June 2024 found listeria in Totally Cool products, forcing the closure of the company's facilities and a layoff of 68 employees. Totally Cool shut down production and recalled 69 ice cream products across 13 brands after a Food & Drug Administration sampling discovered the presence of Listeria monocytogenes. The company investigated the contamination and took preventative actions, according to a June 24 company statement. The products subject to recall were distributed nationwide and available in retail locations and direct delivery. No illnesses had been reported as of the statement. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, however, Listeria infection can cause miscarriage and stillbirths among pregnant women. The FDA obtained a permanent injunction in March 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, prohibiting Totally Cool and its CEO Michael J. Uhlfelder from directly or indirectly receiving, preparing, processing, packing, holding, and/or distributing any article of food unless and until it meets certain requirements, Food Safety News reported. The company subsequently reached a settlement with the FDA in March that calls for the company to discontinue all operations related to food processing and preparation. Related: Popular whiskey brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Politico
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Illinois man becomes Florida man
Presented by Happy Thursday, Illinois. It's Danny again, back for Day Four hosting this good ship Playbook. But first, our Andrew Atterbury brings you a familiar face in a new place, writing from Tallahassee, Florida, where today's expected high of 68 degrees is slightly higher than Chicago's 39 degrees. TOP TALKER FAMILIAR NAME: A fixture in Illinois politics is attempting a comeback — nearly 1,000 miles away. Former Illinois state Sen. Jim Oberweis — a Republican now living in Bonita Springs, Florida — was the first Republican to announce a candidacy for the congressional seat set to be vacated by Rep. Byron Donalds as he runs for governor of the Sunshine State. A Republican is sure to score the seat in deep red Florida. But can it be the former dairy magnate born in Aurora? Oberweis is certainly experienced in politics, after running for office multiple times over the last two decades. He most recently lost a tight congressional contest against incumbent Democrat Rep. Lauren Underwood in 2020's Illinois 14th District race. At the time, Oberweis declared victory with thousands of mail-in ballots still outstanding and even attended new member training, where he rubbed elbows with Donalds coming off his win that sent him to Congress. Underwood ended up winning the election by less than 6,000 votes. That loss, at least in part, triggered Oberweis to move to Florida, where he claims to have owned a condo for more than 15 years with his wife, Julie. The two live in Bonita Springs, a beach community in Lee County where Republicans outnumber Democrats by a more than 2-to-1 margin. Oberweis appears to align with Florida Republicans on several key state issues, such as supporting school choice and taking a hard line against illegal immigration, two of the top priorities of Gov. Ron DeSantis. At the same time, the Oberweis campaign indicates he has taken up a few 'newer' concerns during his time in Florida. Notably, Oberweis is vowing to 'protect and restore' the Everglades and 'find ways to mitigate future hurricane damage,' both of which are longstanding issues facing the state. 'The state Legislature has taken some action to curb the harm of byproduct runoff from the Florida sugar producers, but more needs to be done in terms of environmental protection coordination at the Federal and state level,' Oberweis wrote on his website. Oberweis didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. He chose a very safe Republican seat to run in. But the last time it was open, it sparked a bitter and heavily contested GOP primary. It wouldn't be surprising if Donalds' decision to run for Florida governor could trigger another crowded affair. And there's the hometown factor. While southwest Florida is a growing area that has attracted retirees from the Midwest, it's not always easy for outsiders to suddenly build the connections and name recognition needed for a race like this. So far, the field squaring off to replace Donalds appears to be thin. Outside of Oberweis, only one other candidate, Democrat Howard Sapp, a Ft. Myers community leader, has filed for the 19th District seat. But there's plenty of speculation on who could else run — including other well-known Illinois names. State news outlet Florida Politics reported last week that Jack Lombardi and Catalina Lauf, two former Illinois GOP congressional candidates, could possibly consider runs in Donalds' current district. We'll see if Oberweis can beat the field and employ the right strategy to finally take a seat in Congress. He obviously knows how to read a game board: Oberweis is a former president of the Illinois Chess Association. — Gary Fineout contributed to this Top Talker. THE BUZZ ENDORSEMENTS: We've got two big endorsements in suburban mayoral races that will be decided April 1. In Evanston, Gov. JB Pritzker is backing incumbent Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss in his re-election bid. 'I'm proud to endorse Daniel Biss for re-election as Mayor of Evanston. Daniel is a friend, a colleague, and has been a partner to me in fighting for working families,' Pritzker said in a statement. Biss faces challenger Jeff Boarini. Pritzker once competed against Biss in the 2018 Democratic gubernatorial primary. In Aurora, watch for former Gov. Pat Quinn to announce he's endorsing John Laesch, the Aurora Alderman-at-large, in the mayoral runoff. Laesch, a Democrat, is challenging mayoral incumbent Richard Irvin, a Republican, in a rematch from Feb. 25, when the two faced off during a five-candidate primary. In a statement, Quinn said: 'As mayor, John Laesch will lead a long-overdue movement to enact tough no-nonsense political integrity standards that will put Aurora taxpayers first.' WHERE'S JB At the Ovation Center in Romeoville at 2 p.m. with Congresswoman Lauren Underwood to call attention to potential cuts to Social Security WHERE's BRANDON At the Chicago Athletic Association at 8:30 a.m. for an interview with Axios on housing issues — At the South Shore Cultural Center at 11:30 a.m. for the My Brother's Keeper Chicago Quarterly Convening — At the mayor's ceremonial office at 12:30 p.m. to celebrate Dyett Arts High School and Hope Academy high school basketball state championships Where's Toni At the Union League Club at 8:30 a.m. for the Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroine Awards Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a complaint? Email skapos@ THE STATEWIDES — Child Welfare Agency Failed Repeatedly to Produce 'Critical' Reports After Child Deaths, Injuries: 'The state's Department of Children and Family Services is legally required to make the reports public after examining what went wrong but did not in thousands of instances,' by Illinois Answers Project's Peter Nickeas. — After testimony from Anjanette Young, state lawmakers move bill aimed at tightening rules on search warrants: 'Six years after Chicago police officers wrongfully searched the home of social worker Anjanette Young, she told state lawmakers about the trauma she experienced in testimony on legislation that would essentially bar no-knock search warrants in the state,' by the Tribune's Jeremy Gorner. — Sangamon County Republicans and Democrats agree on one thing: Elected county recorder position should be eliminated, by the State Journal-Register's Steven Spearie — Illinois schools' LGBTQ protections targeted in civil rights complaint, by Chalkbeat's Samantha Smylie CHICAGO — Tense City Hall meeting on CTU contract, CPS budget vote ends with 'handful of issues' still unresolved: 'Mayor Brandon Johnson gathered CPS and CTU leaders ahead of a critical vote to amend the school district's budget to pay for the teachers contract and possibly cover a city pension payment,' by the Sun-Times' Nader Issa and Fran Spielman and WBEZ's Sarah Karp. — Immigration crackdown leads to numerous reports of ICE agents near Chicago public schools, emails show: 'The Trump administration's crackdown on immigration has led to a string of concerned reports from principals and parents to Chicago Public Schools officials, according to a review of internal communication from district security personnel,' by the Tribune's Nell Salzman. — Federal complaints lodged against Chicago, Deerfield for accommodating trans students: 'A north suburban mom says her teenage daughter was forced to change in front of a transgender classmate. Advocates and the district say it isn't true,' by WBEZ's Michael Puente. — Five years since Covid, how Chicago works to improve the health of the city: 'Chicago has the largest life expectancy gap in the country. As threats to federal funding loom, health experts hope they can still shrink that gap,' by WBEZ's Kristen Schorsch. — Ex-Augusta National employee who stole Arnold Palmer's green jacket to be sentenced in Chicago, by the Tribune's Jason Meisner MEDIA MATTERS — Richard Roeper leaving the Sun-Times after 37 years: Roeper is stepping away March 21 but will 'continue reviewing films and TV shows on ABC7's 'Windy City Weekend,' hosting 'The Richard Roeper Show' podcast and writing reviews regularly,' by Crain's Pawan Naidu. COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Police end Casten's town hall after fiery confrontations: 'A heated confrontation broke out at Democratic Congressman Sean Casten's town hall on Wednesday in Downers Grove, Illinois, forcing police to escort constituents out of the building,' CNN. — ETHS teachers rally to protest Trump/Musk budget cuts to education programs: 'We're here to stand up against the policies of the Trump administration in Washington,' said Rick Cardis, the head of the teachers' union at Evanston Township High School Wednesday morning, by Evanston Now's Jeff Hirsh. DELEGATION — LAHOOD IS BACK: Republican Congressman Darin LaHood has finally broken his silence after weeks dodging questions from his constituents about whether he would hold a town hall and face people eager to confront the lawmaker about the Department of Government Efficiency's cuts to the federal workforce, according to 25News Now's Mike Brody. Republicans at town halls across the country have faced fierce backlash from people beleaguered by DOGE, whose cuts are starting to manifest in real-world consequences for Americans including diminished service at national parks. Hedging a bit: LaHood, who represents swaths of Peoria, Tazewell and McLean counties, didn't say whether he would do another town hall, but said he would be 'accessible when it comes to our constituents.' Details here THE NATIONAL TAKE — Trump aides circulate plan for complete revamp of foreign aid programs, by POLITICO's Nahal Toosi and Daniel Lippman — Chicago lawmaker joins the anti-Schumer pile on by House members, by POLITICO's Ali Bianco — Hill Republicans already hated the 'idiotic' call to impeach judges. Then Trump jumped in, by POLITICO's Rachael Bade and Meredith Lee Hill — 'Deeply concerned': Crash victims' families ask DOT not to water down Tesla oversight, by POLITICO's Chris Marquette EVENTS — Sunday: A women's town hall is being sponsored by Congressman Danny Davis. Details here HAPPY BIRTHDAY Lincolnshire Mayor Elizabeth Brandt, Illinois Railroad Association President and former state Rep. Tim Butler, former state Sen. Terry Link, Avōq partner Maura Farrell and World Business Chicago Chief Strategy Officer Abin Kuriakose -30-
