New Ice Cream Shop & Eatery Opens in Downtown Palatine

It wasn’t until Tyler and Janice Holcomb had their son, Gunnar, that they realized downtown Palatine was missing a kid-friendly place for families to get a treat and hang out.

So after two years of planning, on June 1 they opened their own ice cream shop called Rock N Roll a la mode, located at 45 N. Bothwell Street.

“Downtown Palatine has been known for its bars, and that’s great,” Tyler said, “but hopefully this is the start of some retail and fun things for families to do as well.” Janice added, “There’s so much potential here in downtown Palatine.”

In addition to ice cream cones, shakes and malts, Rock N Roll a la mode also has hot dogs, burgers and fries on the menu, as well as a candy wall. But what the Holcomb’s think is the biggest selling point is the premium brand of ice cream that they serve.

“Anytime we’d eat dinner in downtown Naperville, we’d always go to the same ice cream shop,” Janice said.

So one day they asked what brand was being served and they learned it was Chocolate Shoppe ice cream, a premium brand of ice cream made in Wisconsin.

“We called the company, got a response that same day and rented this spot in September,” Janice said.

Since then, the couple have been working to create a fun atmosphere inside what used to be Gumbo A Go-Go. Inside there are two guitars that hang on the wall, as well as ample indoor and outdoor seating. They even built a stage in the corner for kids to sing karaoke.

Tyler, who is the bassist in the 80’s cover band, Hi Infidelity, and was also the lead singer for Hairbangers Ball and ARRA, said that’s where the restaurant’s rock ‘n’ roll flare comes in.

Although the restaurant has only been open a week, Tyler and Janice said business is doing great.

“Customers are coming in and are saying ‘This is exactly what we’ve talked about for down here’ or ‘This is what Palatine’s been missing,’ Tyler said. “That’s been hugely gratifying to come in and see people smiling and enjoying it and seeing a need being met for folks down here.”