Member Spotlight: Mary Greub, Owner, Gerhard’s Elegant European Desserts

 

Lake/Forest Lake Bluff Chamber:  Gerhard’s Elegant European Desserts is a beloved local institution, please tell us a little bit about your business.

Mary Greub: We have been proud to be part of the Lake Forest community for 31 years (32 this August), serving pastries, breakfast items, cakes, sandwiches, and breads for dine-in or takeout, Tuesday - Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Over the years, we’ve also had the privilege of catering to hotels and country clubs throughout the Chicagoland area. In addition to our everyday offerings, we love helping customers celebrate life’s special moments with custom cakes for weddings, baptisms, gender reveals, retirements, birthdays, and more.

 

LF/LB: What is your favorite part about owning a storefront in the heart of our business community?

MG:  One of my favorite parts of owning a storefront in the heart of this community is the relationships we’ve built over the years. Many customers have become close friends and feel like family. There is a special warmth and kindness in this community, and we truly appreciate every person who walks through our doors. I’ve seen so many wonderful examples of customers coming together to support one another through both joyful and difficult moments, and that sense of connection is something I treasure.

 

LF/LB: What is your vision or hope for the future of your business?

MG:  My hope for the future is that this business continues to be part of the community for generations to come. This location has a long history as a neighborhood bakery, and I’d love to see that tradition continue well beyond us. It was a bakery 60 years before us and I still remember what it felt like to purchase the business from Walter and Verena Veile in 1994, and I’m grateful to have carried on what they built. One day, I hope another family has the same opportunity to become part of this beautiful community and create a legacy of their own.

 

LF/LB: How does Gerhard’s give back to and support our community?

MG:  Giving back to the community has always been important to us. We proudly support our military and first responders, including offering a military discount as a small way to show our appreciation for those who serve our country. For 31 years we have donated our unsold bread/ donuts/dry goods  to a local food pantry, helping support neighbors in need and reduce waste. Beyond that, we enjoy contributing to local events, celebrations, and causes whenever we can—being part of this community means caring for it in meaningful ways.

 

LF/LB: Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or the business?

MG: We are simply grateful to have been part of this community for more than three decades. Gerhard’s has always been about more than pastries—it’s about community,  tradition, hospitality, and creating a welcoming place where people can gather and celebrate life’s moments, big and small. It has been a joy to serve generations of families, and we look forward to doing so each and every day.