MORGAN PARK — Laine's Bake Shop will close April 29 in Morgan Park, as the business transitions to separate production and retail facilities.
Jaryd and Rachel Bernier-Green opened their bakery nearly 11 months ago at 11057 S. Homewood Ave. The couple's made-from-scratch desserts are sold at Whole Foods Market, Starbucks and other specialty vendors.
However, Rachel Bernier-Green said Wednesday that the production space in Morgan Park isn't big enough, particularly as business has expanded to supply all but one Whole Foods store in Illinois with mocha raspberry thumbprint cookies, honey nut peanut butter cookies and more.
The bake shop also now supplies treats to 10 Starbucks stores, including the coffee shop at 1933 W. 103rd St. in Beverly, she said.
The modest shop named for Rachel Bernier-Green's grandfather, Laine, and her mother, Elaine also sits tucked behind the Morgan Park District Police Station. Thus, it never developed a strong retail presence, as customers would often miss the tiny storefront, she said.
Thus, Bernier-Green is planning to open a retail spot within a new shopping center in Pullman — across the street from the Calumet District Police Station near 111th Street and the Bishop Ford Freeway.
This retail spot is expected to debut in October or early November. Besides being more visible and surrounded by other retail tenants, the newly constructed building will also have more of a cafe look and feel, Bernier-Green said.
The search for a new production facility is still ongoing, with a location in Bridgeport currently being considered, she said. Meanwhile, online orders are still being accepted while the bake shop transitions into its new spaces.
"My hope is that we will be back in a few months," Bernier-Green said. "We want our customers to know we are still available."
