A Sweet New Chapter for Grove Street Bakery
Meet Lizzie Kalafut: The New Heart Behind Grove Street Bakery
It’s been an exciting few weeks for Bloomington-Normal, as a fresh face steps into the beloved Grove Street Bakery. On the latest episode of the Life Multiplied podcast, host Courtney sat down with Lizzie Kalafut, the new owner, to hear her story!
A Leap of Faith (and Donuts)
Lizzie moved to Bloomington just three weeks ago, and she did it for the bakery. “Two months ago, I didn’t even know the bakery was for sale,” she shares. A favorite of her sister during college at ISU, Grove Street Bakery had always held a special place in Lizzie’s heart. When she heard it might close, her sister jokingly suggested, “Why don’t you just buy it?” That spark led Lizzie to contact the broker the next day, tour the bakery, meet with a lawyer, and sign a letter of intent, all within a week. At just 23 years old, Lizzie was now the proud owner of a community staple.
Passion Meets Community
With a background in political dietetics and a career goal of becoming an RDN, Lizzie admits she’s never been one for the traditional 9-to-5 grind. Owning Grove Street Bakery offered the perfect blend of her love for food, community, and a flexible work-life balance. “The most exciting part of ownership is realizing how much Grove Street means to the community,” she says. Carrying forward nearly 30 years of recipes and traditions while adding her own touch has been both thrilling and humbling.
Learning on the Fly
Of course, entrepreneurship comes with its share of surprises. From broken freezers to equipment failures, Lizzie has quickly learned to roll with the punches. “You just have to problem-solve really quickly,” she says. And the community has been there every step of the way, supporting her, purchasing products, and even lending a hand when things go wrong.
Grove Street Bakery in Three Words
Asked to describe the bakery, Lizzie’s answer is simple: welcoming, community, and sweet. Signature items include frosted sugar cookies, the Gravel Gertie (a fried cinnamon roll with crushed sugar cookies on top), and ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls. Donut lovers will find a haven here, with favorites like apple fritters, Bavarian Bismarcks, and Long Johns. And for coffee cake aficionados? Lizzie promises new fall flavors, including pumpkin cream cheese and white chocolate variations.
Exciting Changes on the Horizon
Lizzie is already planning a thoughtful refresh of Grove Street Bakery. A rebrand is coming next year, complete with a dusty pink exterior, a country-chic interior, and even a secret animal mascot. While keeping the classic recipes that fans love, she also aims to introduce “made without” options for gluten and dairy, along with lower sugar treats. Beyond the bakery, Lizzie envisions outreach programs, from cookie-decorating classes for kids to nutritional workshops, reinforcing the bakery’s role as a community hub.
Settling Into Bloomington-Normal
Despite having just moved to town, Lizzie has quickly embraced the Bloomington-Normal lifestyle. She enjoys local coffee shops, outdoor stores, and events like First Fridays and the Corn Festival. A marathon runner, she’s also found a new love for the Constitution Trail. “It’s a small-town feel with a lot of energy,” she says, “and even though I just moved here, I don’t feel lonely at all.”
How to Support Grove Street Bakery
Lizzie encourages everyone to visit in person at 812 East Grove Street, try their favorite treats, and follow Grove Street Bakery on Facebook and Instagram for updates, seasonal specials, and behind-the-scenes fun. Sharing the love—whether through a visit, a review, or social media shoutout—makes a huge difference for a small business like hers.
A Heartfelt Thank You
As Lizzie settles into her new role, she’s full of gratitude: “I couldn’t be doing this without the community, and I’m so lucky and fortunate to have this support through my journey with Grove Street Bakery.”
Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, Grove Street Bakery promises not just sweet treats, but a warm, welcoming space filled with love, legacy, and the excitement of new beginnings.