November 22, 2007
ABC7 Chicago's Hungry Hound has discovered some one-stop sweet shopping in a tiny unassuming bakery space on the city's far North Side.
Just last month, a group of women joined forces to open three small businesses under one roof in the Budlong Woods neighborhood. They call it the Sweet Collective.
Cathay Rayhill torches mini creme brulees for her business, The Sugar Syndicate. She specializes in custom cakes and mini-tarts such as apple and pumpkin.
"So it's all miniature pastries, so there's a mini-creme brulee, that you can just pop in your mouth; mini-cupcakes and cookies and then also custom cakes that are decorated in a really personalized, unique way for whatever your event is," said Rayhill.
For those more in the mood for some hand-dipped chocolates or creative candies and truffles, just look in Lauren Pett's display case. Her business, Rich Chocolates and Candies, goes way beyond Godiva.
"Basically, everything I do is designed to either take you back to a specific time in your memory or kind of bring you forward into more contemporary flavor combinations," Pett said.
That could mean pecan pie or Almond Joy truffles or a collection, featuring ingredients reflecting a certain neighborhood: champagne in the Gold Coast; garam masala on Devon Avenue; or orange and sesame from Chinatown.
The third component is Ruth and Phil's Gourmet Ice Cream. Alison Bower typically offers about a dozen flavors - including sorbets - even sandwiching them between homemade Nutella cookies.
"I like almost everything, and if I don't, like I don't like green apple, I'll try to make it so I'll like it," said Alison Bower.
Like adding kiwi, or ginger, or passionfruit, anything to complement the everyday flavors.
"Passion-orange tea is very popular, a lot of people like it; it's very refreshing, fruity," Bower said.
Tbe complementary businesses each offer something unique. Rayhill says customers will appreciate their artisanal approach to sweets.
"Every part of what we make here is made from scratch, on site," she said.
There is one table at the Sweet Collective to allow customers to sit and enjoy treats, but most of the business is for pick-up or take-out, and they are likely to be busy this holiday season.
Those with larger orders should call ahead, but the Sweet Collective always has a few items on hand for sampling.
The Sweet Collective
5333 North Lincoln Avenue
773-293-0888
