Today we’d like to introduce you to Betty Alper.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have always loved baking. Ever since I had my very own easy bake oven. Food has always been something that brought our family together. Growing up my father’s family ran a family architecture and electronic security business and I always kind of just thought when I grow up I’m gonna have my own business. Moving in to adulthood the world that I was drawn to was baking. Attending the culinary institute of America (the CIA) helped with an insight in to the culinary world. A few years after graduating and working predominantly as a bread baker I discovered that I had to be gluten free. I had already become vegan at the age of 19 in 2001. In 2007 with my parents Eileen and Josh Alper we opened a restaurant called the balanced kitchen in the far north side. It was one of the first 100% vegan and gluten free restaurants in the nation. We were open for almost two years before having to close our doors. After that we had a short lived catering kitchen on the west side. Then had the opportunity to open a cafe in streeterville called the great taste cafe. In 2010 we started to focus on selling items wholesale in local Chicago storefronts as well as Chicago land farmers markets. Personally living in the south shore neighborhood since 2010 we had the opportunity to open a bakery store front shop at 7100 s. south shore drive in august 2017
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
In many ways it has not been smooth. Struggles with landlords, complications with the city, lack of funds etc. etc. but overall even the frustrating moment have been super fun and rewarding. I’m totally living fantasy
BOT bakery/ Betty BOT shop – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
BOT bakery/ Betty BOT shop is a 100% vegan, gluten free, corn free and nightshade free bakery and kitchen using almost all organic ingredients. We like to partner with local farms to use local ingredients. We make classics like cupcakes, loaf cakes, bars dozens of cookie varieties but also like to focus on regional and international specialties such as Tim tams, babka, koralevsky cake and many more. As well as savory items like our Chicago classic deepdish pizza topped with a totally nightshade free pizza sauce, seasonal brioche buns, raw flax crackers and more.
In our shop we also offer waffles, smoothies, pour over coffee and tea. In the shop we have a vintage clothing rack and a variety of vintage home wears, vegan chocolate bars, chippy snacks and CBD items.
We also offer a monthly dinner series in our south shore location consisting of a 5-10 course meal each course paired with a non-alcoholic beverage
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The ways that I personally define success in reference to my business would be that I am a long standing business in the city of Chicago being able to provide items for the public to enjoy.
Pricing:
- cupcakes cost $4 cookies cost $1-$3 bars cost $3-$4
- mini deep dish pizza $5
Contact Info:
- Address: 7100 S South Shore Drive
Store Front - Phone: 7734954615
- Email: botbakery@gmail.com
- Instagram: @bettybotbakery @bettybotshop
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/botbakery https://www.facebook.com/bettybotshop
- Twitter: @botbakery
Image Credit:
Betty Alper
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