Terry’s Toffee, Sweet Home Gelato unite to take over former Panera building in Highland Park

The sweet taste of toffee is coming to downtown Highland Park.

Terry’s Toffee is moving to 1853 2nd St., the former Panera Bread location, from its spot in Chicago’s Lincoln Park. It will sell its homemade toffee, caramel pecan clusters, fresh cookies, gelato, truffles, chocolate lollipops, and caramel apples and other seasonal treats, according to owner Greg Reich. 

“Highland Park has been great because they’re trying to make it such a family-friendly neighborhood and make it so much more inviting for people and we’re just trying to take advantage of that,” Reich said. 

The site’s Panera Bread location lasted from 2014 until 2021. 

Terry’s Toffee opened in Chicago 20 years ago and has operated out of locations in the West Loop and Lincoln Park. Highland Park will now be its only location.

Reich said customers can expect to see the addition of higher-end candy brands, espresso drinks from Colectivo Coffee and gelato from Sweet Home Gelato.

Sweet Home Gelato, formerly located at 617 Central Ave. in Highland Park, was looking to downsize its space to a commissary-style kitchen to sell at their other locations. At the same time, Terry’s Toffee was looking for a nearby  so the two decided to join forces, according to Sweet Home Gelato owner Janice Bruksch. 

Sweet Home Gelato is a wholesale business that has locations in Libertyville, Naperville and the Chicago Riverwalk.

“We’re really excited to be staying in Highland Park and partnering with Terry’s,” Bruksch said. “It’ll be a cool partnership.”

Terry’s Toffee’s most popular flavor is McCall’s Classic, an almond toffee with milk chocolate and pecans on top. Customers have the choice of milk chocolate or dark chocolate, Reich said.

He said he is trying to complete a peanut butter and jelly flavor by the opening this weekend.

Highland Park residents are invited to celebrate the opening of the storefront on Saturday from 1-4 p.m, when they can sample complimentary treats and participate in family-friendly activities such as face painting, a coloring contest and live music, according to a press release.

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