WICKER PARK — A New York-based ice cream chain opens next week in the heart of Wicker Park — and in true Chicago fashion, it’s offering Malört-infused scoops for a limited time.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream opens Sept. 12 at 1555 N. Damen Ave., which formerly housed Byline Bank ATM machines. The Wicker Park store is the company’s first Chicago location. A second outpost will open this fall in the Willis Tower.
The shop will feature more than 30 flavors of ice cream, including Sicilian pistachio, mango sticky rice and praline butter cake. And for a short time, it will offer Jeppson’s Malört ice cream for Chicago’s most adventurous eaters.
“We’re so excited to welcome Van Leeuwen to Chicago the best way we know how — with Malört!” Tremaine Atkinson, CEO of Malört producer CH Distillery, said in a news release.
While many would rather avoid having Malört anywhere near their dessert, the famously bitter liqueur is arguably not the most outrageous ice cream flavor Van Leeuwen has offered since it was founded in 2008.
The company frequently collaborates with other brands and celebrities for “out-of-the-box” flavors, including Hidden Valley Ranch and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.
Last year, Van Leeuwen also released an espresso-flavored ice cream in collaboration with pop star Sabrina Carpenter, a nod to her massive hit song, “Espresso.”
To celebrate its grand opening in Wicker Park, the shop will offer $1 scoops 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 12.
Van Leeuwen Wicker Park will be open 11 a.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
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