After making its Chicago debut late last year, Levain Bakery has announced plans for a second location River North at 408 N. Clark St.
The New York City-based company made its Illinois debut less than six months ago and is already looking to expand the brand within the windy city, hoping to open this new site in Fall 2023, according to Crain’s. The nearly 1,400-square-foot location will move into the former home of Tracy Adduci Salon, next to The Smith restaurant. Founders Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald found great success in its first location in West Loop at 840 W. Randolph Street, seeing lines wrap around the door to this day.
When the new location opens later this year, customers can expect various pastries, such as scones, muffins, and baguettes, as well as their famous 6-ounce cookies. The successful cookie company started in New York and has since expanded to 13 locations across the country, including a new location coming soon to Larchmont Village in Los Angeles. Considering the Astoria site is a delivery and pickup-only location, the new River North store will be the company’s 13th walk-in bakery.
“We were looking at Chicago for quite a few years prior to finding the West Loop space,” Weekes tells Crain’s. “It wasn’t the only neighborhood we were looking in. When a great space opens up in a place you want to be, it’s always a good idea, we found, to jump on it. We’re hoping it is just as long a line [in River North as in the West Loop.]
