13-Jun-16 – Just enjoy the gelato and don’t look at the official list of Riverwalk vendors.

An Arizona-based maker of the Italian treat has figured out a way to do business on the Riverwalk without a contract directly with the City of Chicago.

Frost Gelato is simply sharing storefront space with Downtown Docks, which does have a contract to offer temporary docking to boats along the Riverwalk between State and Dearborn Streets. The Riverwalk gelato concession quietly opened over Memorial Day weekend, setting up an old-fashioned gelato cart and outdoor seating next to Downtown Docks.

The company has eleven franchises in the United States, including Highland Park and Naperville, and nine franchises in the Middle East. The Highland Park location, says the company, has served more than 750,000 customers since opening in 2011.

“With the amount of foot traffic along the river, I know that Frost Gelato will quickly become a popular favorite among Chicagoans and tourists alike,” says Ron Silvia (right), president of Chicago Electric Boat Company and founder of Downtown Docks.

The Riverwalk location will offer six flavors of gelato, announcing each day’s flavors – such as Amaretto, Chai Tea, Espresso, Nutella, and Tiramisu – on Twitter. Except for milk and sugar, all of the ingredients are imported from Italy.

(Above) Tiny Hatt as it looked on Sunday. The signs were installed on June 7.

Lillie’s, Tiny Hatt expect to open soon

Three Riverwalk vendors have been announced but have not yet opened – Dulce in Horto, a mobile food cart, Lillie’s Park Grill, between Clark and LaSalle Streets, and Tiny Hatt, between Dearborn and Clark Streets.

Lillie’s and Tiny Hatt are waiting on permits but both are expecting them this week. Tiny Hatt passed a Department of Public Health inspection on Friday, hosted a private event on Sunday, and expects to open to the public this week.

A special Riverwalk menu for Lillie’s includes Chicago-style beef, turkey, or veggie hot dogs for $6, Maxwell Street Polish for $8, a variety of salads for $8.95 and $9.95, along with potato chips and non-alcoholic drinks.