Skokie Bakery Robbed Two Months After Opening

A thief stole the cash register from SheReen Bakery in Skokie on Monday night, marking the first major loss for the store since it opened two months ago.

The bakery, which opened in September, has operated as the only Persian bakery in the Chicago area. Co-owner Pegah said the intruder shattered the front glass door to gain entry. She stated, “The window just shattered on him,” adding that the noise frightened the staff. She feared that if the thief had been inside while they were working, he could have harmed them.

Surveillance footage shows the suspect dressed in black with his hood up and face covered. Raheleh, the other co-owner, noted that the theft appeared targeted. She quoted police officers who told her the suspect likely visited the location beforehand to scout the site. Raheleh described the incident as heartbreaking given the shop’s recent launch and its mission to share Persian culture.

News of the break-in spread quickly through local social media channels. Dozens of customers and business owners visited the store the following day. Many purchased the remaining inventory, effectively buying out the bakery's stock for the day.

Madeleine England, who runs Kneads & Wants Artisan Bakery, said she saw the incident on Instagram and drove over to introduce herself. She purchased items and discussed potential future collaborations. She said, “I feel like this is the time that everybody needs to come together.”

The owners credited the community response for helping them recover. Raheleh said the team cried the day after the robbery. She said the support and love from neighbors is what keeps the business moving forward.