BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — The Grove Street Bakery announced its closure in mid-July, but soon after, a new owner came in a purchased the bakery, allowing it to stay open.
Lizzie Kalafut, the new owner of the bakery, lived in northern Illinois before coming down to the Twin Cities to keep a staple of the city alive. She loved the coffee cakes they made and when she heard the bakery was closing, she wanted to purchase as many coffee cakes as possible.
“Basically, she (Kalafut’s sister) was like, if you’re going to miss us so much, why don’t you just buy it? Then I did,” Kalafut said.
She moved down to the Twin Cities within two weeks and bought the bakery to keep the legacy alive, and the community has lifted her up in the process.
“I’ve never been a part of a community like this because I just moved out of my childhood home. So being able to be part of this community and meet new people and see how much of a cornerstone and how much Grove Street Bakery means to people has been so, so special,” Kalafut said.
Kalafut master’s in clinical dietetics in college and plans to use her knowledge in the field to offer more options in the bakery.
“The recipes are all saying the same. A lot of the people who work here are saying the same. You’ll still have all the treats you love. But because of my background in dietetics, I do hope to do some lower sugar, maybe some without gluten options and some made without dairy options to give that inclusivity to people. That way, everyone can enjoy a sweet treat,” she said.
Other changes include new paint and a good deep clean to give it a facelift. As Kalafut takes over the bakery, a hello and goodbye party will happen this weekend at the bakery to say goodbye to the old owners and hello to the new Kalafut.
“I’m ready to come in and like put my own little spin on everything but still keep the same traditions going that they have started and even the previous owners had started,” she said.
The event will include Funfetti cake, cake squares, and $1 cookies to celebrate the sendoff and welcome from 10 to 11 a.m.
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