After opening in March, Bruster’s Ice Cream will have its grand opening celebration this weekend in Aurora.
Bruster’s Real Ice Cream, as it’s known, features 24 flavors at a time out of a revolving 150 flavors or so. The Aurora facility is the first Illinois location of the popular chain from the Eastern part of the country.
The grand opening celebration for the already up-and-running business will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 2440 S. Eola Road, on Aurora’s far southeast side.
The city of Aurora will hold a ribbon-cutting for the business at 11 a.m. Saturday. The first 50 people at the ribbon-cutting will get a free, two-scoop ice cream cone.
The three-day event will feature ice cream samplings of Bruster’s flavors, including the May limited-time offerings Caramel Brownie Batter and Strawberry Shortcake. The weekend also will include waffle cone specials, family-friendly activities and the chance to win free ice cream for a year, officials said.
The opening earlier this spring of Bruster’s in Aurora – and for the first time in any Illinois location – was two years in the making, having first been approved by the City Council in March 2022.
The company plans to open a second Illinois location in Oak Brook Terrace.
While these are the first Illinois locations, the Bridgewater, Pennsylvania-based company has about 200 independently- owned locations in 22 states and Guyana. The company has been in operation since 1989.
The company features more than 150 flavors of handcrafted ice cream, non-dairy oat milk flavors, sherbet, Italian ice and sorbet. Starting with a proprietary, home-style mix delivered fresh from its dairy, certified ice cream makers in each shop craft at least 24 flavors every day, according to company officials.
The Saturday event schedule at the shop includes: 11 a.m., ribbon cutting with the Mayor’s Office; noon to 2 p.m., family- friendly games and activities; 4 to 7 p.m., music from a live DJ; and at 6 p.m., a dance contest.
slord@tribpub.com