Treasured community hotspot Suzy’s Swirl has once again mysteriously closed. The frozen yogurt company was known for its neon aesthetic and warm vibes, giving a pop of color to the historical downtown Lake Forest and modernized Lake Bluff. Many members of the local community were shocked by the abrupt and silent closing of the last Suzy’s Swirl. Previously, the two locations — in downtown Lake Forest and Rockland Road Lake Bluff — served as beloved common spots for all to hang out and enjoy the treat of the summer: frozen yogurt with as many toppings as one desires. Although Suzy’s Swirl in Lake Forest has been shut down since the beginning of summer, the last local frozen yogurt shop, Suzy’s Swirl in Lake Bluff, recently shut down and proved to be devastating for the community. 

 According to the Suzy’s Swirl Instagram (@suzysswirl), the Lake Bluff location decided to close because of a nonspecific lease agreement that had expired. Their Instagram promoted the company’s last day of selling frozen yogurt, yet there is no insinuated goal of reopening elsewhere. As this was a family-owned business at the heart of our community for more than 6 years, the residents have become increasingly suspicious of its instantaneous disappearance. Lake Forest resident, Lake Forest Academy student, and Suzy’s Swirl enthusiast Jeff Zavelsky ‘26 stated, “I was quite upset when I found out that it [Suzy’s Swirl] closed. This also definitely impacted the community.” Negative effects on the residents followed the closing of Suzy’s Swirl as this common hangout spot was lost. When asked about rival frozen treat stores in Lake Forest, Zavelsky remarked, “I think that Sweets is more expensive. I do like it because it is bougier, but I feel like Suzy’s Swirl had its own vibe. I also think that a lot of people in the community appreciated it because it’s less pricey than Sweets and more for kids.” The closing especially affected children who enjoyed the frozen treat and the friendly atmosphere of Suzy’s Swirl. Lastly, Zavelsky explained his thoughts on the story behind the unanticipated shutdowns and how suspicious the closing was, “There’s a specific standard that a lot of residents here need be met, and I think that a lot of companies can’t sustain that standard and charge high prices, which decreases business.” Residents theorize why Suzy’s Swirl swiftly closed its doors and suspect it is due to the more casual aesthetic compared to many other stores in the area. 

While other frozen yogurt shops are much farther away from our community than Suzy’s Swirl, the closest frozen yogurt stores are now Love’s Yogurt & Salads located in Highland Park, YoFruito in Buffalo Grove, Tutti Frutti in Vernon Hills, and Sweet Cafe in Wheeling.

Due to the increasing number of community members who have expressed their sadness to see Suzy’s Swirl go, the popularity of frozen yogurt has remained sky-high. Finding new places for the community to socialize might be difficult for some, but there are a number of beautiful places to get together in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff, including the iconic candy and ice cream shop Sweets. Even though the businesses that will take the locations of Suzy’s Swirl are unknown, everyone can only hope that there will be a new and improved Suzy’s Swirl in the future.