Serving up Happiness since 2004
Photo courtesy of Chris Guillen Photography
The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor & Creamery scoops up happiness with a slice of nostalgia in our family-owned charming parlor, boutique bakery and creamery where we craft super premium ice cream in-house using local ingredients. Our business is committed to sustainability, diversity & inclusion, empowering our teams, giving back to the community in which we work, crafting industry leading desserts and creating memorable experiences for our customers.
SUSTAINABILITY
We strive to decrease our carbon footprint and keep 90% of all income local. Sourcing local ingredients, hiring and training people from our community, choosing eco friendly and compostable products, focusing on seasonal ingredients and working toward a zero waste company are ways that we create sustainability.
HAPPINESS
Whether you come to celebrate or cheer yourself up, The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor & Creamery is committed to creating an inviting, positive space with the best craft, super premium ice cream and decadent baked goods to make your day just that much sweeter.
QUALITY
From farm fresh cream to ice cream to you in just a few short days. We craft our ice cream in small batches daily with cream from a local dairy, natural colors and flavors sourced with real natural ingredients.
DIVERISTY & INCLUSION
We are proud to be part of the fabric of our diverse community and committed to building a workplace that reflects the diversity of the people we serve and a culture where all people are valued and belong.
GIVING
At the center of our mission is our commitment to help make the community in which we work just a little bit sweeter than we found it. We give to organizations that support area youth we are excited to watch grow to become the next wave of world leaders, teachers, parents, entrepreneurs, ice cream eaters and more.
about our building
The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor & Creamery operates in a circa 1886 showhouse turned soda shop. In 1914, as the cinema became popular, many showhouses were turned into movie theatres. This building was the first movie theatre outside the city of Chicago. The theatre sat about 300 people and featured an outside ticket booth and orchestra pit. As movie technology advanced, so did the size of the theatres and this theatre became obsolete. A larger, multi-screen movie theatre opened down the street and this theatre became popular for second-run shows, cowboy movies and cartoons. Although it changed hands and names many times, it was last known as the ‘Lil Theatre in the early 60’s.
There are still features of the theater that can be seen in the parlor today. The uphill ramp at the entrance was to accommodate the downward slope of the theater seating inside. The tiny narrow windows on the north wall are indications of where the projector room was and now serves as an office. The ornate details on the walls are original plaster work that have been preserved and are a piece of history since this kind of work is becoming a lost art.
The woodwork in the parlor is not from the original theater, but was salvaged from a 1910 mansion that was being renovated on Lake Shore Drive.
There are other various items throughout the parlor and building that have been repurposed. We believe in preserving some of our history by reusing elements that still have useful life left in them and keeping them out of the landfill as long as possible!
Meet our Management Team
-
Connie Ostler Brown
CEO of The Brown Cow
-
Julie Paoli
Bakery Manager
-
Natalie Marquez
Store Manager
-
PREMIUM, SMALL BATCH ICE CREAM AND BAKED GOODS
At The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor & Creamery, we take pride in our commitment to quality and flavor. Our award-winning, super-premium ice cream is made in-house using local ingredients and crafted in small batches to ensure the perfect balance of creaminess, sweetness, and indulgence. We're confident that we offer the best ice cream around - and our customers agree!
In addition to our ice cream, we offer a range of homemade baked goods, including pies, cookies, and brownies. Our homemade root beer and root beer floats are a fan favorite, and we offer non-dairy, gluten-free, and nut-free options to ensure that everyone can indulge in our treats. We're proud to be an allergy-friendly establishment and work hard to accommodate our customers' needs.
Our parlor offers indoor seating, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a scoop of ice cream or a warm baked good, regardless of the weather outside. We also offer ice cream parties, children's birthday parties, baby showers, waffles and ice cream, and Valentine's Day delivery to make your special occasions even sweeter.
If you're looking for catering options, we offer ice cream carts, wedding ice cream, and wholesale and private-label options. We're dedicated to providing delicious treats that meet the highest standards of quality, flavor, and sustainability.
Come visit us at The Brown Cow Ice Cream Parlor & Creamery and taste the difference. Our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction is second to none, and we're excited to share our sweet treats with you and your loved ones.