Cold Open: Buck Russell’s Creamery now serving downtown Wilmette

The first day of school is a special day. Why not celebrate with ice cream.

That was the idea when Josie Quinlan, 6 1/2, wrapped up her first day of first grade Monday, Aug. 22, and fortunately for her and Mom, Kristen Quinlan, an ice cream shop just opened in downtown Wilmette.

Buck Russell’s, 1137 Greenleaf Ave., debuted the third part of its business on Sunday, Aug. 21, when Buck Russell’s Creamery welcomed customers adjacent to the bakery and sandwich shop.

The Quinlans popped by in the afternoon to get Josie a vanilla cone — and bring home a s’mores “crusher,” which is Buck Russell’s version of a blizzard, for Dad.

The ice cream shop specializes in homemade, hand-dipped-style ice cream with classic flavors like mint chocolate chip and cookies and cream and more unique varietals such as blueberry vanilla crumble and blue moon (citrus flavor with marshmallows). The ice cream can be made into shakes, malts and a variety of crushers.

Nicole Manion, director of marketing for the shop’s parent company, Ballyhoo Hospitality, said the ice cream storefront will have the same hours as the business’s other components: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

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