On February 20, 2026, Ideal Bakery officially closed a deal to purchase the retail locations of the storied Oak Mill Bakery, along with a massive production facility in Des Plaines. This move is more than just a business transaction; it is a sign that the city’s manufacturing and food production sectors are not only surviving but thriving. For fans of European breads and pastries, this expansion ensures that long-standing traditions will continue to have a home in the metro area.
The acquisition includes Oak Mill Bakery’s retail shops in Niles, Arlington Heights, and Harwood Heights. For decades, Oak Mill has been a go-to spot for high-end cakes and European-style treats. By bringing these locations under the Ideal Bakery umbrella, the Kowal family, who owns Ideal, is cementing their position as a dominant force in the region’s baking industry. They are not just buying shops, they are inheriting a legacy of quality that has served local families for generations.
A New Chapter in Des Plaines
The centerpiece of this expansion is a sprawling 85,719 square foot production bakery located at 2490 South Wolf Road in Des Plaines. This facility is a significant upgrade from the company’s previous workspaces. It provides the space needed to handle the growing demand for Ideal’s signature rye breads and the delicate pastries that have made Jarosch Bakery, which Ideal also owns, a household name.
The city of Des Plaines has been an active partner in making this move happen. Last year, the City Council approved a 6B property tax incentive to encourage the bakery to move into the space. This incentive lowers the property tax rate for 12 years, giving the business the financial breathing room to grow and invest in the local economy. In exchange, Ideal has pledged to invest $1 million into the facility and bring 75 full-time jobs to the area within the next two years.
“We’re excited to have such a storied bakery come into the city, and hope they do well,” Des Plaines Mayor Andrew Goczkowski said during the planning stages. The mayor also noted that the site includes a 30,000 square foot retail space. While it is not open to the public yet, there are plans to turn it into a factory outlet where customers can buy fresh bread and pastries directly from the source.
The Story of the Kowal Family
At the heart of this expansion is a story of hard work and the American dream. Chris Kowal, the 35-year-old owner and operations manager of Ideal Bakery, moved to the United States from Poland with his family in search of a better life. He grew up watching his father and sister, Mariola, build their business through long hours and a dedication to traditional techniques.
Instead of going to college, Chris dove straight into the family trade after high school. He spent years mastering the art of baking and learning the logistics of running a wholesale operation. His approach is simple: respect the traditions while finding ways to reach more people. This philosophy helped the bakery grow even during difficult times, such as the pandemic, when more people were buying bread to eat at home.
“My mantra was always, I’m going to get mine one day,” Chris said during a previous celebration of his company’s growth. He views the new Des Plaines facility as the culmination of nearly two decades of effort. For the Kowal family, baking is not just a job, it is a way to stay connected to their roots while contributing to the culture of their adopted home.
Keeping Traditions Alive
One concern often raised when a larger company buys a local favorite is whether the quality will stay the same. Chris Kowal has been clear about his plans to keep the different brands separate and distinct. The goal is to preserve the unique recipes that customers love while using the new Des Plaines facility to make the production process more efficient.
The three main product lines, Ideal’s hearty breads, Jarosch’s famous pastries, and Oak Mill’s specialty cakes, will all keep their original identities. This approach has earned the respect of local leaders who want to see these businesses succeed. “Oak Mill has been a big part of the village for many years,” Niles Mayor George Alpogianis said. “I hope Ideal will stay true to carry on this longstanding business.”
By moving the majority of production to the Des Plaines hub, the bakers can work in a modern environment with better equipment. This ensures that every loaf of rye bread and every fruit-filled paczki meets the high standards that Chicagoans expect. It also allows the smaller retail shops to focus on what they do best, which is serving their local neighborhoods and creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers.
A Boost for Chicago’s Food Economy
The growth of Ideal Bakery is a positive indicator for Chicago’s broader economy. While many headlines focus on the challenges facing traditional industries, the food production sector remains a resilient core of the city’s identity. The metro area is one of the top food manufacturing hubs in the country, and the success of local bakeries shows that there is still a strong market for high-quality, artisan products.
As Ideal moves into its new home, it brings more than just flour and sugar to Des Plaines. It brings jobs, investment, and a sense of stability to the community. The fact that a family-owned business is able to expand on such a large scale is an encouraging sign for other entrepreneurs in the region.
Looking forward, the opening of the retail outlet in Des Plaines will likely become a major draw for the area. In a world where many things are mass-produced and sold in plastic bags, there is something special about visiting a bakery where you can smell the fresh bread coming out of the oven. For Ideal Bakery, this expansion is just the next step in a journey that began with a dream in Poland and continues to grow in the heart of the Midwest.
