Bobtail Soda Fountain Continues Their Success into Fall - New Fall Menu, Wi-Fi Wireless Technology and Expanded Hours

With six months in the books, Lakeviews Bobtail Soda Fountain (2951 N. Broadway) is taking its first Chicago winter head on. The classically styled ice cream parlor and café built a premium reputation in the neighborhood almost instantly this summer offering classic and tasty homemade treats in a social community atmosphere surrounded by elegant, nostalgic design.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) November 18, 2004 -- With six months in the books, Lakeviews Bobtail Soda Fountain (2951 N. Broadway) is taking its first Chicago winter head on. The classically styled ice cream parlor and café built a premium reputation in the neighborhood almost instantly this summer offering classic and tasty homemade treats in a social community atmosphere surrounded by elegant, nostalgic design.

To carry the summers momentum into the winter, new products include a private label blend of Intelligensia-roasted coffee, warm homemade pies, gourmet hot chocolates, spiced hot cider, hot brownie sundaes, and hot wafflepops (a savory Belgian waffle served on a stick with choice of topping). Customers can also enjoy complimentary wireless Internet access as they relax and enjoy the new menu items.

"We couldnt be happier with our first summer, having served more than 85,000 people since May. With the weather cooling, we now have the chance to showcase our morning café and warmer desserts. Customers will be surprised to see how inviting and compelling our store and its diverse offerings are year-round," says co-founder Jeff Wilcoxon.

Bobtail recently partnered with Intellegensia Coffee Roasters and Tea Blenders to install new state-of-the art brewing equipment and develop a premium Bobtail house blend. This primary roast will be complemented with a darker Italian blend and a Hazelnut blend from New Orleans.

"I noticed this summer, at some point, Bobtail developed into a neighborhood oasis. People always come with friends and they always leave happy. Our approach is simple; help our customers start each day with hot coffee and tea. Then give them a comfortable place to relax with friends and family each night as they enjoy a warm slice of our premium apple pie served with cinnamon ice cream," says co-founder Chris Hill.

Recently, loyal customers were treated to a fall kickoff party on October 16th. More than 1,500 customers turned out to enjoy café specialties, taste the new seasonal ice cream flavors including pumpkin and cinnamon, live music, ice cream cake giveaways, and free samples.

The Bobtail Soda Fountain concept was initially developed by Jeff Wilcoxon and Christopher Hill through the Edward L. Kaplan New Venture Challenge, an annual business plan competition at the University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business (GSB). Inspiration came from the Wilcoxons family-owned Johnsons Real Ice Cream in Bexley, Ohio and 50-years of small town ice cream tradition. John W. Rutledge, a fellow GSB alumnus, a successful Chicago-based financial-real estate-hospitality entrepreneur and private equity investor, and co-founder and president of The Oxford Capital Group, was asked by the renowned U. of C. finance professor, Steve Kaplan, to become a mentor and strategic advisor in the spring of 2003. The team then formally launched the company and first store in the spring of 2004, with Mr. Rutledge becoming its angel investor and founding Chairman & CEO.

Bobtails commitment to providing educational opportunities universally include donating a percentage of its annual revenue to both local and national educational initiatives. Among the first beneficiaries was Chicagos Inner City Teaching Corps, founded by Patrick G. Ryan, Jr., headed by James A. Alexander, and whose honorary chair is Mayor Richard M. Daley. Bobtail contributed all of the ice cream to the annual soiree held at the 63rd street beach house in the second weekend of September, which raised a record amount of money for "ICTC".

For more information on Bobtails menu and catering services, call (773) 880-7372 or visit the web site at www.bobtailsodafountain.com.

Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday, 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m. - 12 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 12 a.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.

About Oxford Capital Group
The Oxford Capital Group specializes in real estate principal investment with an emphasis on the hospitality sector, but including select office, residential, retail, and land transactions; corporate private equity investment and asset and property management. In the corporate private equity area it makes early stage investments in high growth opportunities, primarily in the consumer retail and financial service areas. For more information, call John Rutledge at (312-755-9500).

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