IRVING PARK — Sugar Hole, the whimsical puppet-run ice cream shop in Irving Park, is returning for its second season at the Color Club this summer. Located at 4146 N. Elston Ave., the shop will reopen at 3 p.m. on May 17, welcoming customers through a “hobbit door” on Hamlin Avenue.
To kick off the opening day, the shop will host a puppet-themed make-and-move class at 10 a.m. by Brain to Belly Kids Yoga, followed by a lively parade at 2:30 p.m. with music, where attendees are encouraged to bring their own puppets to join in the fun.
Sugar Hole will operate weekends from 3 to 8 p.m., at least through Labor Day, with the possibility of extending hours depending on weather conditions, according to owners Abby Monroe and Josh Dihle.
Chicago’s “hardest-working puppet team” — Puddles, Moolissa, and Jeremiah Carburetor — will return to serve up ice cream orders, along with some new puppet additions, including the playful Sprinkle Bandit.
This summer’s menu will feature exciting treats like the “SSSSSTRAWBERRRY” soft serve, cold brew coffee from Backlot, hand pies from Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits, and a selection of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for adults.
The concept of using puppets for the ice cream shop originated from the couple’s own home life. Monroe and Dihle, who have a 2-year-old child, often found themselves surrounded by puppets and toys, leading to the quirky idea.
Before it became the Color Club, the building hosted private events for decades, first as the International Order of Vikings and later as the Chicago Latvian Association. Monroe and Dihle purchased the property in 2020, rebranding it as an artist studio and community center in 2021. Since then, the venue has hosted a variety of events, including dance parties and art shows.
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