Scoopin’ Fun Since 1901

 

Colonial Café & Ice Cream, now in its fourth generation of continuous Anderson family operation, began with a milk route in 1901, evolved into a dairy producing ice cream, opened snack shops in the 1940s and launched its first full service family dining restaurant in 1959. Today there are seven Colonial locations, including two in St. Charles and one each in Algonquin, Aurora, Crystal Lake, Elgin and Naperville.

 

In 1901, Simon Anderson purchased a milk route in St. Charles, Illinois for $100. Having the normal challenges of owning a business, he developed a philosophy of Quality and Freshness that has become the standard in the dairy industry. His milk business soon developed into a full dairy, complimented by ice cream production.

 

In the 1930s, Simon was joined by his three sons, Paul, Warren, and Joe K. Together they opened several ice cream and dairy stores throughout Chicago’s western suburbs, as far east as Elmhurst, north to Elgin and Dundee, south to Aurora, as well as Geneva and St. Charles. Most of these stores were operated until World War II when Colonial concentrated only on the dairy and ice cream production.

 

Known today for 50 years of “Friendly Fresh Fun Dining,” featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner and legendary ice cream creations, Colonial has consistently elevated its distinctive taste profiles while maintaining quality and value pricing by continually enhancing training programs and developing all of its 280+ team members and management. We are proud of this “Colonial Family Team” of conscientious and dedicated people.

 

Colonial also enjoys its reputation as an outstanding corporate citizen through its Colonial Cares fundraising programs and its generous involvement in a broad variety of services, which benefit its home communities and citizens.

 

With four generations of Anderson family members at its helm, Colonial has succeeded in continuing the traditions of friendly customer service and highest quality products started by Simon Anderson more than a century ago.

 

Simon’s grandson, Thomas S. Anderson, now president, was among the team that opened Colonial’s first venture into food service in 1959 under the careful eye of Joe K. Anderson. Now well into its second century and marking 50 years in the restaurant business, operations are directed by the fourth-generation’s Clinton T. Anderson.

 

 

 

Clinton Anderson awards his father, Thomas Anderson, a recognition of his 50th Anniversary with Colonial. 

Tom's anniversary co-incides with the company's 50 year anniversary of full service family restaurants.