Sweet Annie’s Strikes Deal to Remain in Flossmoor

The beloved bakery announced plans to expand into a larger Homewood location last week, but a new deal will keep a scaled down, kid-oriented version of the shop at the current Flossmoor location.

By Ryan Fitzpatrick
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January 16, 2013

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Flossmoor Mayor Paul Braun entered Sweet Annie’s Bakery last Saturday on a mission.

“He was very adamant about not wanting to lose (the bakery),” owner Anne Aboushousha said. “He asked, ‘What can we do?’”

Braun told Patch he’s been hard at work trying to facilitate a rental agreement between Aboushousha and her current landlord Dean Armstrong so that she could keep her current shop. Last week, Aboushousha announced plans to move Sweet Annie’s Bakery to Homewood. Despite the move, Aboushousha told Patch she was looking to keep the old Sweet Annie’s open, should she reach agreeable terms with Armstrong.

A deal was reached Tuesday afternoon.

“We care very much about our businesses,” Braun said. “The village has and will continue to assist in any way we can.”

But Aboushousha says the community she loves is also largely to thank for her decision to stay. “The outpouring of Flossmoor residents really confirmed the commitment (Armstrong) has to the community,” Aboushousha said.

Armstrong says he’s excited to continue leasing his property to Aboushousha.

“(Sweet Annie’s) is part of the fabric of the community,” Armstrong said. “It adds to the vibrancy of downtown Flossmoor.”

The current Sweet Annie’s will be transformed into a scaled-down version catered especially to children. Aboushousha envisions edible arts and crafts during after-school hours and an old-time candy selection where kids of all ages can buy treats by the pound. The new Homewood location will function as a full-service bakery.

Aboushousha says she hopes to transition into the Homewood location some time near the beginning of March.

Related Topics: Anne Aboushousha, Bakery, Dean Armstrong, Food, Local Business, Sweet Annie's Bakery, and paul braun

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yoka ward

6:33 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

How nice that both communities will benefit here. I am happy to hear good news like this.

Raurie

7:31 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

So thrilled that sweet annies is staying in flossmoor !!
Congrats Anne on your two businesses. You are a wonderful part of both communities. Homewood is very excited to have you and more seating!!

Jodi Stein

8:09 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Ann, I am so happy for you, as well as the community. You are a very special person and deserve much success and happiness. It is people like you that make this world a better place.

WA Mama

8:35 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Good thing Flossmoor and Armstrong were able to suck it up at the last minute - AFTER the last minute - in panic. Losing Annie's downtown would have left a huge hole to fill. They're lucky she said "yes."

TP

8:36 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

So happy things were able to work out for Annie and Flossmoor. Hopefully the parking issue was addressed as well. Kudos to Mayor Braun for stepping up. Better late than never! Cheers Annie!

db

9:14 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Good for you Annie.. so happy to see you work it out & we still get you in Homewood.. DB

Juvenal

10:51 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

It is quite unclear whether the business parking situation has been resolved. The fact that a Sweet Annie's storefront nominally remains in Flossmoor does not mean the lack of available long term parking for local business employees (compounded by the recent increase in parking fines and heavy handed enforcement) has been addressed. The fact of the matter is Flossmoor is still losing the bakery to Homewood. While I am glad the Mayor stepped in (albeit in a panic after the bad publicity) shouldn't it be the (well) paid staff of the Village working on keeping businesses viable? The Mayor and Board should be coming up with creative solutions to the parking issue and drafting ordinances to effectuate them. Are they??

Ryan Fitzpatrick

12:49 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Thanks for bringing this up, Juvenal.

I spoke with the mayor yesterday about the parking issue. The way I understand it, the situation is currently in a sort of limbo right now. The mayor says the village is studying the problem and considering alternatives. A Flossmoor Business Association/village meeting is scheduled in early February to discuss solutions—the result of Anne Aboushousha's request at a previous board meeting. I anticipate getting a much better idea of where things are going once that's happened. In the mean time, I hear the village is planning on easing up on the business owners. We'll definitely follow up on this.

Mary-Jo

4:52 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

A win-win-win. The business owner gets to expand, Homewood gets a new business, and Flossmoor gets to keep a business that caters to neighborhood residents. Nice work everyone!

Jack

5:25 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

A great place for Michelle Obama to visit. lol

Mominthebbh

9:37 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Okay, so I can buy my snacks for work meetings at the homewood shop AND still get my muffins and whoopie pies in Flossmoor? It's Christmas in January! Yeah Anne!

So much for that diet resolution- Flossmoor still has your biggest fan club Anne! (Figuratively at least )

Ryan Fitzpatrick

11:06 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013

This is one of the more amusing Patch comments I've read.