EAST UKRAINIAN VILLAGE — Black Dog Gelato’s East Ukrainian Village and Logan Square outposts open Friday.
The shops will have “soft openings” 4-11 p.m. Friday before returning with regular hours noon Saturday. They’re at 859 N. Damen Ave. and 2662 N. Sawyer Ave.
Jess Oloroso opened the first Black Dog Gelato on Damen 11 years ago. She has since expanded to Logan Square and the West Loop. The West Loop location, 1012 W. Lake St., will open May 15.
Like many small business owners, the gelato maker was forced to pivot during the pandemic; much of Oloroso’s revenues came from catering private events.
Oloroso established a pint subscription program for customers, which was supported by hundreds of neighbors. She also offered free pints to health care workers.
In an interview with Block Club last year, Oloroso credited neighbors for her business’ survival.
“We’re nestled in these little neighborhoods … people who come in my doors, a lot of them have been with me for 10 years,” she said.
Black Dog’s hours of operation are noon-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and noon-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
Follow Black Dog Gelato on Facebook and Instagram. Send inquiries to info@blackdogchicago.com.
Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Already subscribe? Click here to support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.