LAKEVIEW — Beloved German baked goods store Dinkel’s Bakery has listed its Lakeview property for sale, but the business has no plans of closing and could stay in the neighborhood.
The Dinkel’s storefront at 3329 N. Lincoln Ave. was listed for sale by commercial brokerage firm Marcus and Millichap, prompting buzz on social media among fans who worried the bakery might be closing.
But Kyle A. Stengle, senior vice president of investments for the brokerage firm, said Thursday the bakery’s owners are “just evaluating their options,” which could include selling the property and relocating the store.
The owner “is looking at all his options, which could include selling the building with a potential to lease it back,” Stengle said. “But looking at where the world is going today, [they could] need more space and a different facility to continue running the business and provide their products.”
If the business does move, they could be looking for a property with a drive-through or a warehouse facility for their baked goods’ production, Stengle said.
“There’s not a specific timeline for when they might move,” Steingold said. “Every 10 years they look at what’s going to best suit the business for another 10 years.”
Dinkel’s Bakery is a fourth-generation, family-owned bakery that opened in 1922. The business’ founder, Joseph K. Dinkel, had immigrated to Chicago in the early 1900s, bringing with him baking skills and recipes from southern Bavaria, Germany, according to the bakery’s website.
Dinkel’s expanded its current location in 1932, around the time that Dinkel’s son, Norman Dinkel Sr., took over the business. He then passed it down to his son, Norman Dinkel Jr. in the early 1970s. Now the business is run by his daugther, Sandgren Dinkel, and her husband, Luke Karl.
The owners of Dinkel’s bakery did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Jake Wittich is a Report for America corps member covering Lakeview, Lincoln Park and LGBTQ communities across the city for Block Club Chicago.
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