Meet The Owner Of Algonquin's Newest Ice Cream Shop

ALGONQUIN, IL — Five years ago, Mariangela Bolognini's plan was to become a police officer. She'd received her degree in criminal justice, and the 25-year-old South Elgin woman was working in the court services department for the Hanover Park Police Department.

"I really enjoyed it but I noticed pretty quick that not a lot of people are happy to see you," Bolognini said Thursday. "I'm usually really friendly, and I enjoy having a good interaction with people."

Bolognini, who is engaged with plans to get married next year, was also working overnight shifts and ready for a change.

"I just realized if I wanted to have a family, it was going to be very hard to deal with the schedule," she said. "So I decided to take a different path."

She began looking into started her own business. And in December 2019, she opened her first ice cream shop in Bartlett, and has now opened her second Cherry on Top Ice Cream Shoppe at 4071 W. Algonquin Road in Algonquin.

The first-time business owner, who learned a lot from family members who own businesses, says she decided to go the ice cream route because she loves kids — who tend to have an infinity for ice cream — and she also has "a bit of a sweet tooth herself."

COVID-19 Pandemic Hits Shortly After Bartlett Opening

The COVID-19 pandemic hit a couple months after Bolognini's Bartlett ice cream shop opened, forcing the physical location to close.

But she thinks the pandemic may have actually helped in getting the word out about her business and drawing more customers in.

"We really noticed once COVID happened, especially in Bartlett, a lot of people were supporting local small businesses. Social media was booming and people were sharing their experiences, they were leaving reviews, they were sharing posts and we really saw an impact with that," she said. "Once we could reopen, we had steady business."

The Algonquin location opened Thursday with a soft opening and reduced hours from 1 to 9 p.m. The busness will then be open daily from 12 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily but will be closed on Memorial Day.

Bolognini, who is now 29 years old, says she picked Algonquin because she hopes to move there one day. She says she likes the community, which is very family oriented, has three different high schools and plenty of her customer base: kids.

"I just really love being around kids and seeing them happy," she said.

The business has seating outside and a small shop where customers can order scoops of Madison-based Chocolate Shoppe ice cream, including the popular Exhausted Parent, which is a bourbon spice espresso ice cream, and This $&@! Got Serious, a smooth salted caramel ice cream brimming with rich sea salt fudge and salted cashews.

Another popular option is the Dentist's Nightmare, which is $20 and includes 10 scoops of ice cream and 10 different toppings. If you choose to try and finish it on your own, employees at a Cherry on Top will time you. And if you get the fastest time, it will appear on the wall at the shop.

Groups can share the massive ice cream treat and get their picture taken, which will also appear on the wall if you finish.

The business also serves up sundaes, milkshakes, chillers, malts and edible cookie dough.

For more on the business, check out the Cherry on Top Ice Cream Shoppe Facebook page and website.