New York’s Levain Bakery, famous for its giant, gooey cookies, is expanding into the West Loop, located at 840 W. Randolph St.
The new location will replace Maude’s Liquor Bar in a two-story building sometime in late Summer 2022, according to Eater Chicago. Co-founders Connie McDonald and Pam Weekes started the business from the Upper West Side of Manhattan in 1995, where they baked and sold bread. One slow day McDonald decided to make a batch of cookies and sold out immediately. Since then, the company has expanded to 11 other locations, but this will be the first one away from the East Coast.
There won’t be any seating available for guests when the new cookie shop finally opens. Instead, customers are welcome to linger around the counter and observe the workers in the open kitchen. The upstairs will remain for staff only. As for cookies, guests can expect all of the flavors that have made this bakery a cult favorite, including chocolate chip walnut, dark chocolate chip, and dark chocolate peanut butter chip. McDonald hints there may be an only-in-Chicago treat, similar to the cranberry scone for the new Boston location.
“We want people to see us making things in the kitchen,” Weekes tells Eater Chicago. “It’s very satisfying to make something and see people eating and enjoying it.” In terms of the size of these cookies, Weekes says, “it’s big enough to share.”
Due to equipment and permit delays, an exact opened date is yet to be known. McDonald tells Eater Chicago, “I like those two words ‘coming soon.’ We’re not making promises we can’t keep.”
