Brown Sugar Bakery, neighboring business broken into in Greater Grand Crossing, Chicago police say

July 30, 2026 - 05:06

The owner of Brown Sugar Bakery on Chicago's South Side is frustrated after her business was broken into for the third time. The latest incident happened in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, and Chicago police say they are also investigating a break-in at a neighboring business.

Stephanie Hart, who owns the popular bakery, told reporters that the vandals smashed a glass door to get inside. She said they stole a small amount of cash but caused significant damage to the property. Hart expressed exhaustion over the repeated break-ins, noting that each time she has to pay for repairs and deal with the disruption to her staff and customers.

Police responded to the scene early in the morning after an alarm was triggered. Officers found the front door shattered and evidence of forced entry. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are looking for surveillance footage from nearby cameras.

The neighboring business, which has not been named publicly, was also targeted in what appears to be a similar pattern. Hart said she hopes the community will remain supportive and that the city will increase patrols in the area. Despite the setbacks, she plans to keep the bakery open and continue serving her customers. The break-ins have sparked conversations among local business owners about safety and the need for better security measures in the neighborhood.