Lake Zurich's Old World Bakery closes

Downtown Lake Zurich's Old World Bakery, which at one time was known for its cinnamon bread and other goodies, has closed after about 29 years on Old Rand Road.

Management analyst Kyle Kordell said the village received word April 8 that Old World was out of business. A pie and some cookies remained in a display case and a "Bakery is Closed" sign was taped to the locked door Tuesday.

"It is unfortunate that this longtime downtown business has not proved viable," Kordell said. "The bakery operated out of this Old Rand Road location for many years. I've actually purchased quite a few bagels and doughnuts from them myself, so I am sad to see them go."

Dale Perrin, executive director of the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, said while it's "a real loss" to not have an independent bakery downtown, it wasn't the same after Jack and Eileen Muhr sold it about three years ago.

Roman Greyz and his wife took over the bakery from the Muhrs, Lake Zurich Mayor Thomas Poynton said. Greyz could not be reached for comment.

Poynton said the closure is not reflective of the good development opportunities in downtown Lake Zurich, an area the village has been trying to revitalize for several years.

"Of course, we're not happy to have a business close there," he added.

Jack and Eileen Muhr, who could not be located for comment, opened the bakery on Old Rand Road just north of Main Street in 1987, according to village records.

In 2008, Jack Muhr told the Daily Herald that two customer favorites at the time - caramel-pecan rolls and cinnamon bread - were recipes from his family in Austria.

Old World also became known for custom-made cookies and cakes.