The UpRising Bakery & Café in Lake in the Hills says it will close because of “endless harassment” after hosting a drag show.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the bakery’s owner, Corinna Sac, issued a press release saying that the bakery plans to close at the end of March 2023. Among other offerings, the bakery has vegan options and wedding cakes for LGBTQ couples, the newspaper reported.
“Closing our doors is the direct result of the horrific attacks, endless harassment, and unrelenting negative misinformation about our establishment in the last 8 months,” Sac said in the news release.
“From an award-winning bakery that donates to local organizations and supports diversity and inclusion, we have been rebranded by misinformation as ‘gay only’ and ‘pedophiles,’” she wrote. “Local customers no longer come here because of the perceived threat that tarnished our good name and the fears of their license plates are photographed, and they are harassed.”
The bakery's website explains, "UpRising Bakery is known for our allergen friendly items, eco-conscience operations, and incredibly talented cake decorators. We serve scratch-made desserts and bakery items in a unique fashion to the McHenry County area. We showcase two completely transparent kitchens; dedicated gluten free and traditional main kitchen. We are in the process of building our dedicated nut-free kitchen."
The bakery's drag performance made headlines in July 2022. According to CBS News, "Threatening notes and human feces" were left at the door of the bakery and protests were plans as word spread that the bakery was hosting a drag performance.
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