New bakery in Crystal Lake offers treats inspired by ‘Alice in Wonderland’

Those walking into Cheshire Cakes, a new bakery recently opened in downtown Crystal Lake, might feel like they’re entering a trip down the rabbit hole to Wonderland.

Siblings Kellyann and Charles Kozel opened Cheshire Cakes, a bakery themed around “Alice in Wonderland,” located at 40 N. Williams Street, Suite 40, last week. They sell cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, croissants and more with vegan and gluten-free options, as well.

Cheshire Cakes’ most popular item, so far, are its six different flavors of cupcakes, all named after a different character from Alice in Wonderland, Kellyann Kozel said.

Some of the cookies are themed as well, such as the sugar cookies, that say “Eat Me” on them, a nod to the treats Alice consumes that make her grow.

Inside the bakery is a mural with colorful flowers and butterflies, designed by Jade Evans, a local artist; brightly colored tables; and a rainbow sign that says “Welcome to Wonderland.”

“I’ve always loved ‘Alice in Wonderland,’” said Kellyann Kozel, who relates to Alice’s adventurous and curious spirit. “Everybody kind of knows the story, and even if you don’t really know the story, the colorfulness [and] the flowers draw people in.”

Kozel said she’s always liked baking, especially seeing people’s reactions when they taste her food.

After growing up in Crystal Lake and going to school in Chicago, she moved back to her hometown eight months ago.

“I always wanted to open up a bakery,” she said. “When we saw that this space was vacant, it worked out.”

Kellyann Kozel said she’s gotten support during her new venture from her brother and co-owner, Charles, and her mom, who helps out at Cheshire Cakes, too.

“It’s definitely a family business,” Kellyann Kozel said.

Kellyann and Charles Kozel also have found support from fellow downtown business owners. After their opening, some sent flowers and cards.

Although Kellyann Kozel has spent years working in the restaurant industry and has been baking since middle school, this is the Crystal Lake native’s first time owning a bakery. At first, she expected business to be steady if a bit slow.

But a couple days after it opened, Cheshire Cakes posted on its Facebook that it sold out of almost everything. Cupcakes have been selling out almost every single day, Kellyann Kozel added.

THANK YOU to all who came out today!!! We sold out of almost everything!!! We cannot BELIEVE the amazing support of...

Posted by Cheshire Cakes on Thursday, June 17, 2021

“More and more people are coming in every day because they see it online,” Kellyann Kozel said.

One recent customer, who works as “Alice” for a company that hires people to play Disney characters, came out to Cheshire Cakes just to see the place.

“That’s been really cool, that people just want to come because they hear the name,” Kellyann Kozel said.

Cassie Buchman

Cassie Buchman

Cassie is a former Northwest Herald who rcovered Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Cary, Fox River Grove, Prairie Grove and Oakwood Hills.