For Goodness’ Shake: JoJo’s brings extravagant milkshakes to Highland Park through Sept. 30

A Chicago favorite known for towering, indulgent milkshakes has made its way to Highland Park. You can see for yourself, but you better hurry.

JoJo’s ShakeBAR opened a limited-time pop-up at Michael’s Grill and Salad Bar, 1879 2nd St., on Sept. 17 and will remain through Wednesday, Sept. 30, giving local sweet-tooths a momentary chance to enjoy JoJo’s without heading into Chicago.

“It’s been a really fun collaboration with JoJo’s,” said Ryan Gamperl, owner of Michael’s, on Wednesday, Sept. 23. “We’ve seen a lot of great buzz about it so far.” 

JoJo’s is known for its over-the-top desserts, like their “boozy milkshakes,” the business’s website says. In addition to the shop in Chicago, another is located in Naperville, as well as Orlando and Detroit.

The collaboration with Michael’s came as Robbie Schloss, owner of Jojo’s, a Glencoe resident, got introduced to Gamperl from a mutual friend. The two started talking in August about working together and within two months, JoJo’s was posted up at Gamperl’s Highland Park shop.

Throughout their conversations, the two quickly noticed they had a lot of “similarities” in how they do things, and they thought a local collab would be fun, Gamperl said. 

“We thought it would be fun to bring something fresh and different to our community in Highland Park that we don’t have right now,” Gamperl said. 

Kids flocked to Micheal’s after school on Tuesday to each snag a monstrous shake. 

Four-year-old Jonah Ettleman had the Chocolate Nirvana shake and found it to be a “9 out of 10,” he said. “It’s the best milkshake I’ve ever had.” 

His mother, Karen Ettleman, gave the shake a 10 out of 10. And she got a Birthday shake and Wonder Years shake for her other kids. 

New 4-year-old, Logan Catalano, came to not only enjoy a shake but also to celebrate his birthday with his brothers, 7-year-old Cooper and 5-year-old Ryder, and his parents. 

Logan Catalano liked the lollipop from his Birthday shake, and Cooper and Ryder got the Chocolate Nirvana shake, agreeing that the best part was the oversized marshmallow on top; though, the cookie and sprinkle toppings were close behind.

Gamperl thought it was fun to “see people reacting to things,” and influencers in the area wanting to “get involved and participate,” in the shakes, he said. 

JoJo’s has a product so visually appealing, Gamperl said, that it draws kids right after school, as The Record witnessed Tuesday.

These vibrant desserts sat “very well” next to Michael’s comfort on the menu, Gamperl said. 

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