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GREAT HARVEST BREAD - NAPERVILLE NEWS
A Message From The Owners
Knowing retirement from the workforce was on the horizon for us, we have been trying to sell the business for over two years listing with a professional brokerage firm. We had a solid agreement with a serious Buyer last Summer, but the landlord was only offering a short-term lease which did not meet the Great Harvest Franchise or Buyer's lender requirements. Our bakery was not considered an "Anchor Tenant" based on their criteria. Only Anchor Tenants received long-term leases. The deal cratered.
Again, in early 2026, with several months remaining on our lease, we shared another respective Buyer's purchase agreement with our landlord. After many attempts by us and the Buyer to follow up with them, the landlord eventually sent us an email stating they had already marketed our space and were moving forward with a new tenant. There was no communication of their intent before we reached out to them (nor are they legally required to do so in our lease). As a result, that purchase fell apart as well.
Despite these hurdles, we continued to try to find a Buyer that would be willing to relocate the business to another space, but no parties stepped up in any serious manner. Even with a significantly reduced asking price, the risk and costs of moving made the business less attractive to potential Buyers overall.
Our lease and franchise agreement are both expiring soon at the end of our ten year ownership tenure. Therefore, we regretfully are informing our loyal customer base that our doors will close permanently at the end of business Friday, August 7th.
Our employees have all been communicated to in advance and stand ready to continue to bake our awesome breads and treats and provide their excellent service until then. We cannot express in words what an incredible team we have! They are really wonderful people...we have been blessed.
As we wind down in the coming weeks, we may cease ordering some specialty item ingredients and that may lead to some of our unique products phasing out depending on demand. Sandwich ingredient ordering will cease in July as a first step. Come grab your favorite sandwich before we run out of stock! Most of our core bread and treat offerings and proven favorites will be available throughout (like Pumpkin Chocolate chip, Honey Wheat, Old Fashioned White, Cinnamon Chip, Sourdough, several Cookies, Scones and others).
On behalf of the owners of this local bakery that came before us, our current and past employees and ourselves, we appreciated the opportunity to provide the community excellent made-from-scratch goodness for over 35 years here in Naperville Plaza. Time marches on for all of us...enjoy the journey and savor the moments right in front of you each day.
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