After unexpected closing, popular Libertyville bagel shop plans to reopen
This time, Danielle Little is determined not to let the business dominate her life.
"I don't want to make the day-to-day decisions," Little said of the upcoming encore opening of Bagels by the Book, the popular shop she operated in a Libertyville strip mall for 18 years before closing unexpectedly in June.
Differences with the landlord drove that move, she said at the time. A potential buyer surfaced but an agreement didn't materialize. Little was drawn back into the bagel business and soon will be reopening.
"If (the sale) was done, I'd be gone," the Gurnee resident said.
A long, leisurely RV trip to Alaska with husband, Bob, beckoned but she wanted to see her store situation through. "I didn't want to go anywhere until this got wrapped up," Little said.
Little bought the store in 2000 from original owner Mike Book. Despite innumerable workdays that began at 2 or 3 a.m., an undeniable attraction remained.
Bagels by the Book is known for made-to-order breakfast sandwiches and has become a go-to place Libertyville High School students. Little hired many of them as their first jobs and has kept in touch with former employees.
"I didn't think I'd miss it as much as I did," she said. "I'm getting text messages from these kids all the time."
In the interim, fences were mended and a new lease negotiated. For the past several weeks, Little and her husband have been refreshing the space at 870 S. Milwaukee Ave., across from Advocate Condell Medical Center, in anticipation of an imminent reopening.
The chair rail in the 14-table space has been changed from wood to vinyl and tile baseboards added. The front counter has been moved back to provide more customer room in front. A fountain machine has been removed and the kitchen modified to make operations flow more smoothly.
"I haven't been to work in it yet and I'm lovin' it," Little said.
A more noticeable change is the new wall color, mostly a shade of orange called Harvest Time for the dining area and a shade of yellow called Harvest Moon for an accent wall in front. Little Googled "restaurant colors" for inspiration.
"It makes people happy and not guilty about eating food," she said of Harvest Time.
That shouldn't be a problem. In May, 6,869 breakfast sandwiches were sold - a total attributed, in part, to a pre-closing bump - but indicative of the eatery's popularity.
An official opening date is pending finishing touches and a village re-inspection. Little said she's secured high school help, but is looking for full-timers.