Contact:

Rosemary Mackey
(630) 293-2200 ext. 139
rmackey@westchicago.org

 
City of West Chicago

475 Main Street
West Chicago, Illinois 60185

West Chicago City Museum Announces Arrival of 2009
Commemorative Ornament
 
    The West Chicago Tastee-Freez is the latest in a series of commemorative ornaments that celebrate West Chicago history.
 
West Chicago, Illinois: December 8, 2009 – Just in time to add a bit of nostalgia to this year’s holiday tree, the West Chicago City Museum has announced the arrival of the newest commemorative City ornament. It celebrates the West Chicago Tastee-Freez, a West Chicago icon of old-fashioned fun and quality.

According to the Friends of the Museum, the traditional seasonal walk-up ice cream stand at 130 Fremont Street was built in 1955. Established in 1950, the Tastee-Freez chain remains one of the oldest franchise operations in the United States. Their automatic continuous mix freezer made soft-serve ice cream an American treat. The West Chicago franchise received the 2008 National Store Owner of the Year Award as the best of more than 1,000 stores in the United States; and in 2009 it received a Brilliance in Business Community Image Award from the City of West Chicago.

Since 1997, when the City Museum commissioned a special ornament to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) fountain, residents and collectors have looked forward to the annual issue of the approximate three inch high brass die-cut ornament celebrating a piece of West Chicago history. Some ornaments have immortalized commercial buildings and homes, while others relate to local railroad history, such as the Pioneer locomotive.

Packaged in a presentation box which includes a short history of the subject, the West Chicago Tastee- Freez ornament is available for purchase for $8, payable by cash or check to the Friends of the West Chicago City Museum, at two locations; the City Museum, 132 Main Street or City Hall, 475 Main Street. Quantities are limited. For more information, call (630) 231-3376 or email museum@westchicago.org.
 
 
 

 

 

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West Chicago is the one of the fastest-growing cities in DuPage County in the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. With a current population of more than 25,000, West Chicago is a diverse, family-oriented community with a rich cultural mix and a proud heritage. West Chicago is the first Illinois community established by the railroads and continues to be a convenient transportation hub served by three major rail lines, Illinois' third-busiest airport and three state highways. West Chicago offers award-winning schools, a growing industrial park and convenient access to parks, shopping and restaurants. Additional information can be found on the city's website at www.westchicago.org or by calling Rosemary Mackey directly at (630) 293-2200 x 139.
 
 
CITY OF WEST CHICAGO   475 Main Street, West Chicago, Illinois 60185   T - (630) 293-2200   www.westchicago.org