WICKER PARK — Two family-run bakeries on the hunt for new storefronts found them.
After six years and two different spaces on North Damen Avenue in Ukrainian Village, the father- and-daughter team of Vern and Emily Smith will be relocating Sweet Cakes Bakery to 1223 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Wicker Park, across from the 'Polish Triangle' and Blue Line Division Street "L" stop.
"It's a beautiful spot in a lovely old building with tin ceilings... a quintessential Chicago space on the edge of the neighborhood. We're looking forward to having the extra foot traffic," said Emily Smith, 36.
Smith, who specializes in made from scratch cupcakes, muffins and pastries — including allergy-free vegan varieties — said she hopes to relocate Sweet Cakes "sooner rather than later" and is shooting for the beginning of June.
Meanwhile, it's business as usual at Sweet Cakes at 901 N. Damen, which plans to remain open at its current location until the new space is ready.
In Bucktown, Golden Brown Delicious Cakes and Sweets which is run by mother and daughter Maria and Victoria Maya, hopes to open 2039 N. Western Ave. by "late spring or early summer."
A sign in the window says "GBD Cakes and Sweets."
"We try to use the acronym, it's kind of a mouthful," said Victoria Maya, 24.
Baking since age 12, Victoria Maya majored in visual arts at University of Chicago though said she was unable to find a job in her field after graduation.
About a year-and-a-half ago she started baking with her mom and the duo, who live in southwest Ashburn, have been fulfilling larger custom cake and cookie orders out of Kitchen Chicago, a commercial kitchen as well as a borrowed restaurant kitchen.
"We searched for locations for over eight months and chose Western Avenue because it's on the border of Bucktown and Logan Square... We want to make our cakes and sweets accessible to everyone, from students and young professionals to families," Victoria Maya said.
In addition to custom cakes, GBD Cakes and Sweets will offer French pasties, Pan Dulce, a sweet Mexican bread, horchata cupcakes and Mexican hot chocolate cookies.
