LAKE IN THE HILLS (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The owner of UpRising Bakery and Cafe in Chicago's northwest suburbs celebrated the success of a drag show Sunday, which took place despite being canceled twice.
“It was like waking up on your first Christmas and seeing all the presents under the tree,” said Corinna Sac, who owns the bakery.
Sac said the restaurant not only held its family-friendly drag show — initially scheduled for July 23 — but it went off without a hitch.
“Every single face in here had a smile on,” Sac said. “Plates were empty, cups were filled, and dancers were dancing. It was amazing.”
Hateful vandalism and harassment forced the first cancellation and caused the bakery to close for one day. Then, Lake in the Hills officials informed Sac that no events were allowed to be held at the bakery.
As the controversy unfolded, the surrounding community came out in support of the bakery. A GoFundMe launched in the wake of the first closure has raised $16,285, and hundreds came to UpRising when it reopened to show their appreciation for the business.
Sac said the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) helped broker an agreement with the village to keep the events going. Some ACLU officials, she said, stopped by for Sunday’s drag brunch.
“Just to have them be invested to the point where they make a trip out here on their Sunday was amazing,” Sac said.
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