Lovely, Too, Chicago

For owners Bob and Gina Hartwig, Lovely: a bake shop and Lovely, too: a bake shop are a part of their life's story. The bakeries began as wishful thoughts, daydreams of comforting places where customers could come in for a delicious pastry and cup of coffee before heading on their day. Wanting to turn their visions into welcoming reality, Bob and Gina gathered a family of employees who greet customers, brew Intelligentsia coffee, and dish out treats pulled straight from toasty ovens. Free Wi-Fi keeps guests connected to the outside world, and a full espresso bar gives customers a place to grab a piping hot cup of java and a row of creamer canisters to tell their troubles to without judgment. Their dreams realized, Bob and Gina cemented the business’s place in their story in October 2008, marrying one another on Lovely’s newly-built patio and opening the shop to others looking to merge their lives in a serene setting.