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Actually, it all started with a bet… Kelly, who is also a 4th grade teacher, lost a bet while playing darts with
her Principal. He won cookies as his prize, and shared them with the rest of the school staff. The
secretaries shared them with other school secretaries, who ordered cookies and shared them with parents,
who ordered cookies and shared them with…. And the rest, as they say, is history.
After the 2004 holiday season ended with 450 dozen cookies done in their little kitchen, Jamie insisted
they look for a professional kitchen to rent. Instead, they ended up finding a restaurant to buy.
After a lot of debating and research, and more than a little angst over the name (Kelly wanted to call
it “Stale Bread” – she got out-voted!), Kelly’s Bakery and Café opened it’s doors on
November 16th, 2005.
Garnering favorable reviews in the local newspaper, Kelly’s immediately became a favorite of downtown
Bloomington workers. Customers appreciate the good food, fast service, and friendly staff.
A lot of patrons appreciate the eclectic mix of artwork in the cozy dining room – Kelly and Jamie allow local
artists to showcase some of their pieces commission-free. Take a look around the dining room if you're in -
there are only 2 pieces of artwork not for sale.
Kelly's Bakery and Café is also an active member of the
Downtown Bloomington Association.
Both Kelly and Jamie are big believers that too much of American culture is being lost to strip malls and
chain stores and try to purchase local whenever possible.
During the summer, Kelly's also buys as much produce as possible from the Farmer's Market in downtown Bloomington
every Saturday. The tomatoes from the Farmer's Market are the key ingredient in a summer favorite, the
chicken-salad stuffed tomato.
Local culture is a big reason why they chose to open their restaurant in the downtown area. Have you ever stopped
to look at the architecture of the Ensenberger Building? Or gone on the Abraham Lincoln walk from the
McLean County Museum of History?
Kelly and Jamie would also like to take a moment to thank businesses and people who helped them bring an
idea to reality:
Pam Arnold (Kelly's mom) - without her, Kelly's Bakery and Café would never have happened, and it's doubtful
that either Kelly or Jamie would still have their sanity without her support and calming presence along
the way. We love you!
Eric and Melanie Shelito - Artezen Design - this whole thing is
their fault! They turned Kelly and Jamie on to the fact that there was a kitchen for rent (that ended up
being a restaurant for sale!) Plus, Artezen did all of the designs for the logos, menus, windows, and doors.
Thanks guys!
John McDonald - Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano - thank you John for all
your help and advice on the restaurant industry!
Elizabeth Binning - Illinois State University Small Business Development Center - thank you Elizabeth for
making sure Jamie's budgets and forecasts were grounded in reality.
Jan Lancaster (aka The Momma) - Lancaster's Restaurant - thank you for all
your advice and help along the way.
Erik Barnlund - Mavidea Technology Group - the man responsible for the
design of this website - thank you Erik for making sure Jamie didn't mess this site up like the last one.
Tom Watkins - Hawk Computers - thank you for putting up with Jamie taking
off to solve problems at the bakery while he was working for you.
Staff and Parents at District 87 - thank you for your support of Kelly!
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Cream of Broccoli
Chicken & Dumplings
Chili
Vegetable Minestrone
Lobster Bisque
Chicken & Noodles
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Angus roast beef, turkey and provolone cheese with homemade Russian dressing on Pumpernickel rye. Served with lettuce and tomato.
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