For Jacob Neminarz, who was reared in Poland on baked goods made by his mother and grandmother with farm-fresh eggs, milk, and other natural ingredients, moving to Winnetka at 21 to work at his family’s masonry company was a literal shock to the system. “I became allergic to many foods,” says the 39-year-old, now a resident of Jefferson Park, “and found out it was due to the additives used in many American products.” Neminarz dreamed of starting his own bakery specializing in recipes handed down from his mother and grandmother, and in 2007 he and business partner Anna Majewski opened Sugar Hills Bakery in suburban Algonquin. In 2010 he opened a location in Wheeling, and he recently launched his first Chicago bakery with Sugar Hills’ third outpost, a 2,200-square-foot space in Avondale.
“When Anna and I opened this business, we spent a great deal of time ensuring our products contain only the best possible ingredients, meaning no artificial preservatives, no half products, and absolutely no high-fructose corn syrup,” says Neminarz, whose ingredients of choice include Belgian Callebaut chocolate and Nielsen-Massey Madagascar bourbon vanilla extract. That fastidiousness pays off in scrumptious signature items like the decadent roshkys, a pastry featuring a macaroon-cookie base made with coconut-walnut-pecan flour, topped with mocha buttercream infused with vodka, and dipped in Belgian dark chocolate. Neminarz’s works of pastry are also works of art, meticulously layered, frosted, and adorned with incredible precision.
Additional Sugar Hills locations in Hyde Park and downtown are in the works, but in the meantime, Neminarz is excited to share his passion with Avondale’s growing community; plans include hosting classes on cookie-decorating as well as donating pastries not sold during the day to Chicago charities. Says Neminarz, “I want to be a positive influence in peoples’ lives.” 3235 W. Addison St.