A reader writes:
Hi,
My wife just shared this message with me from a South Loop moms
group:
Hi everyone,
I was just speaking to the owner of Marble Slab (1241 S. Michigan Ave.) today and he was telling me that they may have to close shop due to lack of business. Now I don't know about you, but I'd like to see them stay as well as all the other businesses in the south loop. So please show your patronage and pass this along to other south-loopers. We need to help our local businesses out!
Best Regards,
(another South Loop business owner)
We've heard this rumor before, but maybe there is more validity to it this time. It's getting colder, so it's natural for them to close in the winter, but hopefully they will open back up in the spring.
(Hat tip: GB & DF!)
20 comments:
Oh no.... my son loves this place! I hope they can stay in business.
i've gone in there 4 times with my girlfriend. All four times they were out of vanilla......
it's just not run very well
I do not like seeing businesses leave. However ever try ordering anything other than a cone? Takes a long time to prep..line is forming..cannot get past..rarely get it right..super expensive..yes out of vanilla..heard that once also..got to a point you just stop going
I have only been in once, and it was SO EXPENSIVE that we have never been back. I mean, come on, it's ice cream! it was more than Cold Stone! I hope they stay in business, but maybe if they change their pricing it would up sales.
That's terrible news. I would go more often, but I remember the pricing being somewhat high. Maybe around $11 for two cones? Could be wrong.
Would love for the business to stay, but I would agree that it's not the best run place. Earlier this summer, I took my kids over for an after-lunch treat only to be greeted at the door and told they wouldn't open until 2 pm (90 minutes later). Yet there were employees there and it was almost 90 degrees.
I went to a place on Taylor street called Yogen Fruz....now that place was really poorly run. I don't even think the employees knew what they were selling. Meanwhile I will get in my car and drive to Pinkberry in the Gold Coast. South Loop, where businesses for the most part with a few exceptions, are poorly run!!!
There is more to this story. Marble Slab is a very difficult franchise business model. They have conflicts with their store owners nationwide. This is a great location for a ice cream store. Not a franchise - they take too much of the profits from store owner. Go for a independent business - if you don't have experience, save your money and time. Get a job in a ice cream store first. from the oldest restaurant owner in south loop.
I had a chocolate shake from this place a few months ago and it was quite good...
I've been here a few times over the years and agree with many of the comments - slow moving lines, out of certain flavors, and pricey for what you receive. We were in there one time where an employee was yelled at for scooping too much ice cream. As a customer, that turns me off.
I hate to see any business fail but I'd rather have a yogurt/smoothie place. Healthier and something for all seasons.
I love this place. They have lemon custard which is my favorite flavor and very hard to find. Hope they can pull through.
Why would you publish something like this without at least checking with the owners of Marble Slab to confirm your anonymous source?
This place desperately needs to close. It's the worst run place ever. I don't know who manages it, but it's a prerequisite that you have to be dumber than a box of rocks to work there.
Also, it's a chain of some sort...I'd rather see a local ice cream/gelato maker in there. If we have to pay $4 or $5 for a cone, then let's get something better than a Baskin Robbins there.
I would also LOVE to see a frozen yogurt place, like Kingoberry or Pinkberry, in this location. The Culture truck that has been in the neighborhood is great too.
Southloop Connection:
It was confirmed by the owner of marble slab --- besides the article was written to boost business, not detract from it. Just because people have some harsh comments for it doesnt mean sloopy had this intent. Take it easy...
South Troll Connection, this is out of your realm...involves something other than charity walks, blood drives, yoga classes, architecture, & art galleries.
I've only been here once. And I too remember being surprised at the prices. Obviously didn't go back.
Ice cream shops in this part of town is a hard sell. You have to go where the kids are. And it's not the South Loop. There are a lot of babies... but once they reach "ice cream" consuming age, they all move out to the burbs. These marble slab places do pretty well in the suburbs. Most kids' sports teams go there as a group after each game... I haven't seen many of those around in the Sloop. I'm a business owner in the sloop and am always sad to see people fold. Good luck.
I'd rather see a local ice cream/gelato maker in there. If we have to pay $4 or $5 for a cone, then let's get something better than a Baskin Robbins there.
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