As if the tiny new corner bakery on Evanston’s Central Street, just east of the Metra tracks, wasn’t adorable enough, it turns out that owner/baker Beth Welch and manager Kate Noble share more than a love of sugar—they’re sisters! They first learned to bake and cook from their beloved grandmother as they grew up fourth-generation Evanstonians. By the time she was a freshman at ETHS, Welch knew her career path. She attended New York’s Culinary Institute of America, and then came stints at Everest, the Four Seasons and Swirlz Cupcakes. They opened Beth’s Little Bake Shop in late June, its glass cases lined with jewel-like fruit tarts and lemon meringue pies. Macarons in saturated colors vie for your attention (try the strawberry–chocolate ganache!), as do the salted chocolate chunk and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Welch does specialty cakes and sweet tables on demand, but you’ll find plenty here to love on an everyday basis.
Beth’s Little Bake Shop
1814 Central Ave.
Evanston
224-999-7597
