corner bakery naperville (Chicago, Warrenville, Warren: home, purchase, closing)

[gardener34]

I was in downtown naperville yesterday. Did the corner bakery in the downtown area close? Or was I just being dense and did not see it. I walked right by there and I swear it was gone. Isn't it right across the street from the rocky mountain chocolate factory? (yum) We were just there a month ago or so.

What is all you people's take on all these recent chain restaurant closings? First many bakers squares went - then bennigans... what is up?

[Drover]

The Naperville one relocated to Warrenville -- same franchisee, new location.

Culinary tastes have changed dramatically since Baker's Square and Bennigan's hit the scene. they didn't do enough to keep up and/or they were seen as "old-hat."

[PhotogGal]

I was just visiting my former home in the Chicago area the past two weeks and ate at Bakers Square three times. Glad I did it for the memories if they're going under.
I have to admit that it did look a bit run down, though.

Was surprised to hear about Bennigan's.

[gardener34]

Thanks.

[aragx6]

I got the impression everyone was surprised about Bennigan's, including the managers!

I read an article that they all got midnight phone calls saying, essentially, you're out of a job, don't go to work, tell your employees they're fired.

[gardener34]

Hey I just got laid off like that. Went into work, yeah, well we have to cut you and bunch of others. No warning. But YOU have to give companies 2 weeks notice when you leave otherwise they hit you with a "do not rehire" on your files. Nice.

Actually I heard they do this with restaurants because they want to eliminate the possibility of some disgruntled unstable employee engaging in "food sabotage" for which they would be liable of course.

[mendelman]

Originally Posted by gardener34

Actually I heard they do this with restaurants because they want to eliminate the possibility of some disgruntled unstable employee engaging in "food sabotage" for which they would be liable of course.

But in the case of Bennigan's, I doubt that was the reason, since the entire chain closed - no restaurant, no food to be eaten.

[Drover]

Originally Posted by gardener34

Hey I just got laid off like that. Went into work, yeah, well we have to cut you and bunch of others. No warning. But YOU have to give companies 2 weeks notice when you leave otherwise they hit you with a "do not rehire" on your files. Nice.

Actually I heard they do this with restaurants because they want to eliminate the possibility of some disgruntled unstable employee engaging in "food sabotage" for which they would be liable of course.

That and to prevent raiding the till and other forms of theft. I have to tell you, I was the one controlling the books when the place I was working for a few years ago told me they were ceasing operations. It was all I could do to stop myself from taking what they had left in the bank and applying it to my own backpay. The only thing stopping me was knowing that almost everyone else working for the company was even worse off than I was. If I was the only one who was owed backpay, I'd have taken it and run.

[vandre]

[joke] In wonderland Naperville businesses dont' close... they get 'relocated' [/joke]

[irish setter girl]

Does anyone know if you can purchase Baker Square Pies elsewhere? Someone told me they were keeping the bakeries open and will sell them elsewhere.....please tell me this is true....... Do you remember when they were called Poppin' Fresh Pies? My dad's office when I was a kid was next to their main bakery, it smelled so good in there.