Big cone returns to Alice’s Place in Elburn

ELBURN – A familiar landmark has returned to its rightful spot on top of an Elburn business.

The 9-foot tall, fiberglass ice cream cone was placed back on the roof Aug. 20 of Alice’s Place for the first time since 2013, said Audrey Hanson, owner of the restaurant at 208 S. Main St. in Elburn.

“People were all excited over Elburn Days to see it,” Hanson said. “The little kids, they just get so excited about it. That’s how they know my place, the ice cream shop with the big cone on top.”

Batavia resident Kevin Theisen, co-owner of Theisen Roofing in DeKalb, placed and secured the cone on the roof. He previously installed a new roof on the restaurant in 1992, Hanson said. Theisen also plans to install a spotlight to shine on the cone to make it more visible in the evening, Hanson said.

“He’s just all-around a good guy – it’s nice to have good friends like him,” Hanson said.

The cone had been out of sight since Nov. 13, 2013, when a storm blew it over. After a different, smaller cone placed on the roof was stolen in June, Elburn resident Dave Broz started a page on www.gofundme.com to raise money to return the orginal ice cream cone to the roof.

A total of $600 was raised, but Hanson has been reluctant to take any money. Hanson said she already filled out the village permit paperwork with $50 fee for the cone. Any money not used toward the big cone still is scheduled to go to the Elburn Food Pantry, Broz said.

“She’s a very humble person,” Broz said of Hanson. “She’s done so much for so many people.”