Meet Your New Neighbor: The Bakery Box Opens in Lemont Downtown
Open 24/7 with the perfect sweet treat to satisfy any craving, the Bakery Box is Lemont Downtown’s newest neighbor. We spoke with Tianna Gawlak, owner of the Bakery Box, to learn why they chose Lemont, what inspired their dessert atm business model, their dessert offerings, and what they look forward to.
KG: How did you come up with the Bakery Box? Is this your first location?
TG: In July 2025, we purchased the concept from my husband’s family, who moved to Arizona. This is our fourth location after buying the business.
KG: How did you decide on Lemont?
TG: Instagram DMs influenced our decision. We got wind that the Lemont community was interested in Bakery Box joining the local business scene. Our sister lives five minutes away from Downtown Lemont. When she saw the spot, we called right away, competed for the lease, and, luckily, locked it in!
KG: It’s wonderful to have the Bakery Box join the food and drink scene here in Lemont Downtown alongside great complementary businesses like Folklore Coffee, Neima Cafe, and Bonita Bowls. To expand on your familiarity with Lemont, what are your favorite businesses?
TG: The pizza shops! And coffee. I’m looking forward to introducing myself to neighbors and the community at large. Having a full-time job on top of Bakery Box is challenging, but the warmth we’ve received is reassuring for our growth and investment here in Lemont Downtown.
KG: Tell us about the Lemont Downtown Bakery Box menu. Does it feature exclusive menu options?
TG: We have over 20 types of different cakes. Our gluten-free items are exclusive to Lemont. Dessert cups are another menu option we love. We’re hoping to cast a wide net and attract a variety of people.
KG: Where is everything made?
TG: We have 3 different vendors. Sweet Connection Bakery in Chicago and two more small businesses. Our approach is to share the Bakery Box space with different small businesses.
I’m here every day, and the Bakery Box is stocked every day. We add to what’s running low and replenish items in 24-48 hour cycles, ensuring the freshest and daily items are available to our customers.
KG: What else can people expect for the Bakery Box space?
TG: Within a year, we hope to transform the Bakery Box space into a storefront and create a more counter-bakery vibe. We’re optimistic about adding more items for purchase and about offering a coffee-and-cake menu special. The Bakery Box is also looking to expand - fingers crossed!
KG: What are your recommendations for first-time Bakery Box customers?
TG: Any of the cheesecakes - strawberry, oreo, ganache - are musts! The newest cheesecake is gluten-free and made with white chocolate. The Bakery Box has dessert offerings like tiramisu or Biscoff. These are our biggest hits! Another new dessert is our delicious carrot cake.
KG: Is there anything else you’d like to share about the business?
TG: Our concept continues to grow. We’re hoping to open more locations around Lemont. If you live in Illinois and would love to chat with us, our DMs and email are always open.
KG: Just sharing a sweet treat idea - introducing a Lemont dessert flavor in 2026 would be fabulous!
TG: That’s a wonderful suggestion! We’ll definitely throw around flavor ideas and see what we can make happen. We’re excited to further connect with the Lemont Downtown community, mom-and-pop shops, creatives, and cafes.
The Bakery Box is located at 315 E Illinois St, Lemont, IL 60439. Cheesecake, tiramisu, desserts are available 24/7.
