the Homewood Farmers Market, May 23, 2015.
The popular market vendors are in the process of
opening a shop in downtown Flossmoor.
(HF Chronicle file photo)
After winning the palates – and hearts – of H-F area patrons for the last three years, Bakewell Bakery has found a permanent home in downtown Flossmoor.
Alan and Patricia Ledsham, the bakery’s owners, announced last week that Bakewell is setting up shop at 1050 Sterling Ave. They expect to open their shop in late April.
“This is our natural next step,” Alan Ledsham said Monday. “We’ve been pleased with the feedback we’ve gotten the last three years and this will serve as our base.”
Since 2013, the Ledshams have been selling distinctive British dishes – tarts, scones, meat pies and items for breakfasts and afternoon teas – at the Homewood farmers market, a pop-up shop and other locations. Patricia Ledsham has done demonstrations at the Homewood Chocolate Fest.
Their tasty wares have been well-received. At the farmers market they often sold every item.
In the weeks to come, the Ledshams – who live in Flossmoor — will be fixing up their new space, which is where Sweet Annie’s was formerly located. Both Ledshams have regular jobs but are gearing up for the day-to-day operations of a local bakery.
“It’s going to be a lot of work,” he said. “But we should be ready to open by the end of April.”
When it opens, the bakery will have all Bakewell menu items – a variety of meat pies along with Cornish pasties and Scotch eggs. Bakery goods will include an array of tarts and scones but also croissants, rolls, muffins, shortbread and other cookies.
Ledsham said his wife, who grew up in the South Suburbs, is a “pastry person.” She is likely to be at the bakery every day, he said.
Bakewell will continue to offer its own sausage on several items. Ledsham said he came up with the recipe for the sausage, which is made at a family farm in downstate Illinois.
The bakery will be a vendor at the Homewood farmers market this summer, as well as the Frankfort farmers market. Bakewell will also appear at the season’s final Indoor Farmers Markets in Homewood, on March 26 and April 30.