Chilly Jilly's
Chilly Jilly’s Brings Sweet Success to Downtown Carbondale
When Kevin Quinn set his sights on relocating to Carbondale and launching his own business, he knew he had the passion but not yet the roadmap. Like many first-time entrepreneurs, he faced a familiar challenge: where to begin. A recommendation from a family member led him to the Illinois Small Business Development Center at SIU, where he found the guidance and structure needed to turn his vision into reality.
Kevin connected with business advisor Aimee Wigfall, whose expertise proved instrumental throughout his startup journey. From the earliest stages, she helped him navigate foundational decisions clarifying his business concept, identifying key questions, and connecting him with the right tools and resources. Beyond one-on-one advising, Kevin also benefited from SBDC workshops covering everything from starting a business in Illinois to marketing strategies, giving him both knowledge and confidence.
A pivotal moment came when Kevin participated in the SBDC’s Business Plan Competition in late 2025. Not only did the experience sharpen his planning and strategy, but earning second place also provided a financial boost that helped move his business forward. More importantly, it validated his concept and prepared him for launch.
In April 2026, just over a year after moving to the area, Kevin opened Chilly Jilly's, a nostalgic, old-fashioned ice cream parlor in the heart of downtown. Featuring hand-crafted ice cream made from locally sourced ingredients, the shop offers classic treats like sundaes, shakes, floats, and ice cream sandwiches, all served with a fun, throwback atmosphere.
The response was immediate and encouraging. Chilly Jilly’s grand opening drew a strong local crowd, and the business quickly established itself as a community gathering place. Today, the shop employs several part-time staff members and is poised for a busy summer season.
Looking ahead, Kevin plans to expand into a larger downtown location and grow production capacity to include take-home ice cream and additional frozen desserts continuing to build on the momentum created in its first months.
Kevin credits much of his success to the partnership with the SBDC. With expert guidance, practical resources, and ongoing support, he was able to transform an idea into a thriving small business in a new community.
Chilly Jilly’s is more than just an ice cream shop it’s a testament to what’s possible when entrepreneurial vision meets the right support system.