Jeni’s Ice Cream Fans Can Start Lining Up at New Old Town Store Next Month

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams is taking over the former Doodle’s Doughnuts space in Old Town for the uber-popular chain’s fifth Chicago location. Long lines of customers could start emerging sometime in July at 1419 N. Wells St., according to a Jeni’s rep. The signage and Facebook page have been up for a few weeks and crews were on hand on Friday morning to clear out the remains of Doodle’s, the former doughnut shop that abruptly closed in September.

Jeni’s seems intent on conquering nearly all of Chicago’s North Side neighborhoods. The Ohio-based company, led by Beard-award cookbook author Jeni Britton Bauer, opened its first Chicago shop in September 2013 on Southport in Lakeview. The chain followed up with openings in Wicker Park and Lincoln Park. Bauer should return to Chicago later this month as Jeni’s is poised to open its fourth location in the West Loop at 911-915 W. Randolph St. A rep didn’t immediately reply to when that location would open. UPDATE: A rep said the Randolph Street store should open next year.

A common summertime scene in Chicago is passing by a crowded Jeni’s with lines flowing through the door and around the block. The shops feature creative flavors, and Bauer, who opened her first shop in 1996 in Columbus, Ohio, takes a chemist’s philosophy to making ice cream. She delicately mixes the creams, sugars, and butterfat. Fans rave about the texture and taste.

The ice cream chain has shown a commitment to Chicago and has worked with local companies. One such collaboration involves Right Bee Cider, the cidery in Hermosa on Chicago’s West Side. They worked together to create a new sorbet flavor, “Hard Cider Sorbet,” that’s available nationally this summer.

Stay tuned for more news on the new spots in Old Town and the West Loop.