Popular Chatham Bakery Targeted in Third Break-In Amid Rising Burglaries

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 31, 2026

Brown Sugar Bakery in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood was burglarized early Wednesday, marking the third break-in at the business in recent years and resulting in the theft of a cash register. The bakery’s owner plans a community meeting to address rising burglaries along East 75th Street, highlighting ongoing challenges for local Black-owned businesses.

A well-known bakery in Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood was burglarized early Wednesday morning, marking the third break-in at the business in recent years, according to Chicago police. The incident occurred around 4 a.m. at Brown Sugar Bakery, located at 328 E. 75th Street, where multiple unidentified individuals forced entry by breaking the front glass window.

Authorities reported that the suspects stole the bakery’s cash register before fleeing in a white vehicle parked outside the premises. No injuries were reported during the incident. In addition to damaging the bakery’s window, the offenders also broke a window at a neighboring business, Stylez Caribbean Snack Shop, which sells herbs and wellness products, though police confirmed nothing was taken from that establishment.

Wentworth Area (Area 1) detectives are leading the investigation into the burglary.

Stephanie Hart, owner of Brown Sugar Bakery, acknowledged the support of the local community in a video shared on social media Thursday afternoon. She announced plans for a gathering at Soul Veg City, another business on East 75th Street, intended as a forum to address the rising number of burglaries in the Greater Grand Crossing area.

“This is the third time Brown Sugar Bakery has been targeted,” Hart said, emphasizing the persistent challenges facing small businesses in the area. She expressed gratitude toward the responding officers from the 3rd District, noting their quick and effective response to the incident.

Hart described East 75th Street as a vibrant corridor hosting numerous Black-owned businesses, including Lem’s Bar-B-Q, Mabe’s Sandwich Shop, and Boss Shine & Repair Shop. Despite the setbacks from criminal activity, she said the community remains resilient.

Brown Sugar Bakery has been operating for over 24 years and is renowned for its Southern-style caramel cake. Addressing the impact of the break-in on her daily routine, Hart shared that she maintained her usual schedule, getting up early Thursday morning despite the disruption.

“You gotta keep getting up,” she said, underscoring the determination to continue serving the community amidst ongoing challenges with crime in the neighborhood.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.