(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Since it was founded nearly 65 years ago, Jarosch Bakery has become a cherished part of Elk Grove Village, and its owners hope a deal to merge with Chicago’s Ideal Bakery will secure Jarosch’s sweet legacy for the future.
“Jarosch Bakery started in 1959 by my grandfather,” Ken Jarosch, owner and president of Jarosch Bakery, told WBBM.
Jarosch has spent a lot of time at the corner of Higgins and Arlington Heights Roads. It’s a location that his wife Kathy Jarosch — who serves as vice president of the bakery — said has been a big benefit, considering the village is home to the country’s largest industrial park.
“It has allowed us to service people from all over the suburbs who come to work,” she said.
After Elk Grove Village bought the shopping center in which Jarosch Bakery is located, though, Ken and Kathy said they started thinking about their retirement. The challenge: finding someone to take over their bakery.
In a post on Jarosch Bakery’s social media page, the Jarosches wrote that there “is not ‘cookie cutter’ method to a mom-and-pop bakery succession.”
“Many times, it’s a generational succession, as was the case when [Ken and Kathy] joined his parents in 1989,” the post read. “However, their three children, of whom they are very proud, have their own passions and successful careers, which they deserve to follow.”
The Jarosches wrote that they did not want to close the shop and walk away, and Ideal Bakery, which is known for its pązcki and Polish rye, jumped at the idea of merging.
Ideal Bakery, which was founded in the 1930s, is owned and operated by the Kowal and Klimek families. President Chris Kowal told WBBM their goal is to keep the bakery the same.
“It’s their name on the door,” said Kowal. “We’re not going to change any recipes.”
The village plans to redevelop the shopping center, with a completion date of late 2025.
Other tenants of the Elk Grove Woods Shopping Center, including Tinsuki’s Market and Vinny’s Pizza, are also expected to have new homes within the redevelopment.
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