PARK RIDGE, Ill. — Triple Scoop’d Ice Cream Shop, located at 801 Devon Ave., received an overwhelming wave of support from customers, neighbors, and local officials after a burglary on Christmas Eve left the family-owned business shaken but determined to turn the incident into a symbol of community resilience.
According to the Park Ridge Police Department, three men shattered the shop’s glass door at approximately 2:48 a.m. on December 24, 2024. Surveillance footage captured the suspects, dressed in dark clothing with hooded sweatshirts and face masks, using a brick to break into the store. Once inside, they grabbed the cash register and fled the scene.
In the aftermath of the break-in, co-owner Jim Hanlon decided to transform the plywood covering the damaged door into a canvas of hope. The plywood was painted pink, and Hanlon invited the community to leave messages of support. By Sunday, December 29, both sides of the plywood were covered with heartfelt notes from well-wishers.
“I rarely find myself at a loss for words. This hurts…,” Hanlon wrote on the shop’s official Facebook page on the morning of the burglary. However, by Christmas Day, his tone shifted to gratitude as he thanked Park Ridge Mayor Marty Maloney, Police Chief Robert Kampwirth, officials from the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, and neighbors for their outpouring of support.
“It was inspirational getting us through this dark moment,” Hanlon wrote. “I went to bed feeling a bit like George Bailey from It’s a Wonderful Life.”
Hanlon’s idea to create a “door of love” quickly gained traction. “Come show your love and support,” he urged the community. “Sign that ‘pink door’ with your names. Let’s show those three bad guys that they can smash our door, but they can’t smash our community!”
The Hanlons, who own Triple Scoop’d with their three children, opened the shop in 2021 in a space previously occupied by a travel agency. The business, which serves Capannari Ice Cream alongside coffee, tea, and doughnuts, has become a beloved local fixture. Jim Hanlon had initially envisioned the storefront as a medical supply company but pivoted to an ice cream shop after the city encouraged retail use for the space.
Despite the setback, the Hanlons remain committed to their business and their community. In a video posted on December 26, the entire Hanlon family expressed their gratitude, with Jim pointing to the now-covered “door of love.” “It’s been a couple [of] crazy days, but thank you all for signing our door,” he said.
The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce also played a key role in rallying support for the shop. Executive Director Jackie Mathews emphasized the importance of community solidarity in challenging times. “Sometimes, bad things happen to good people and good businesses, and it can be disheartening to witness,” she said. “However, it is important for us to come together as a community to showcase the true spirit of Park Ridge and what it represents: resilience, support, and a commitment to uplifting one another.”
Triple Scoop’d is currently closed for its regularly scheduled January break, but the Hanlons have assured customers they will return stronger than ever. In a statement on social media, they expressed their gratitude for the community’s unwavering support, proving that even in the face of adversity, the spirit of Park Ridge remains unbroken.
You Might Be Interested In:
- What Makes Hudson Yards Van Leeuwen a Must-Visit Destination?
- What Makes Van Leeuwen’s Weird Ice Cream Flavors So Unique?
- Why Should You Buy Van Leeuwen Ice Cream?
