WICKER PARK — Usually seen at stadiums and theme parks, Dippin' Dots — an ice cream formed into tiny beads through flash freezing — can be enjoyed at a 7-Eleven across from Wicker Park's namesake park, one of only two 7-Elevens in the city where fans can buy the iconic treat.
Franchisee Harish Doshi, who took over the 7-Eleven at 1508 N. Damen Ave. in August, said he saw the Dippin' Dots at a product expo and decided to stock it to supplement pints of Ben & Jerry's and individual ice cream bars.
"We are testing the product for now to see if customers like it; we will keep it as long as people buy it," Doshi said.
Doshi's favorite Dippin' Dots flavor is cotton candy because it reminds him of street fairs in India, where he is from.
"There's thousands of people at fairs and when you see the cotton candy vendor, it's a big deal. When I saw this, I knew I had to have it for my store," Doshi said.
On display near the front register, the dedicated Dippin' Dots cooler was installed over Labor Day weekend. Despite the cooler fall season, Doshi said that the Dippin' Dots are "creating a buzz," especially among local kids.
Costing $2.99 per individual packet, 7-Eleven's Dippin' Dots cooler is stocked with banana split, cotton candy, chocolate, rainbow, cookie dough and more flavors.
In addition to the 7-Eleven across from Wicker Park, Dippin' Dots are also sold at a 7-Eleven at 1349 W. Fullerton Ave. in Lincoln Park, according to the Dippin' Dots website.
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