Lake Zurich change allows home bakers to sell their goods
The Lake Zurich village board has adopted new rules to allow residents to sell baked goods directly to customers as a home business.
The change in law Monday was spurred by Lake Zurich resident Julie Krejci, who reached out to her district trustee Jonathan Sprawka a few months ago.
Krejci said she's been encouraged by friends and family to turn her passion for making intricately decorated sugar cookies into a business. But when she began looking into it, she discovered that she could not sell directly to customers and that her kitchen would be subject to strict regulations.
Krejci said she received a warm reception from village officials when she proposed the change.
"They were really excited about me bringing it up," Krejci said. "I've heard in the online cookie community that other towns aren't so welcoming."
The rules adopted by Lake Zurich are based on policies referred to the "Cupcake Law" and the "Cottage Food Law." Under the new rules, home bakers can earn up to $1,000 in gross sales each month so long as the packaging says the food was produced in a home kitchen. Home bakers can sell their treats at a farmers market or directly to consumers some other way.
The statute lists "potentially hazardous" foods that are not permitted. Prohibited items include any food that is fried, canned or pickled, as well as all meat, seafood and alcohol.
Krejci, whose new business is called Cookie Creations by Julie, was grateful for the new rules and said she plans to take advantage of the opportunity.
"I'm hoping to start out with this and maybe work it up to a viable business," said Krejci. "I think this is a small business-friendly thing that is encouraging to people who want to start out but don't have the funds to work in a commercial kitchen."
Mayor Tom Poynton supported the new rules.
"Lake Zurich is blessed with a community loaded with artistic and creative talent," Poynton said in a statement Tuesday. "Combine that with a strong entrepreneurial spirit among our residents, that's a recipe for success."