Is Winnetka in Oberweis’ expansion plans? A sign on Lincoln Avenue says yes, but officials are tight lipped

Got milk? Better question: Will Winnetka soon?

While a new Oberweis sign has appeared in the window of a storefront in downtown Winnetka, Oberweis has yet to confirm a new location.

The sign reads “Oberweis Dairy coming soon” at the storefront at 544 Lincoln Ave., which is part of a building owned by Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate, a subsidiary of the Hoffman Family of Companies, the new owner of Oberweis Dairy. 

Hoffmann Family of Companies declined to confirm an Oberweis location in downtown Winnetka, and in a statement provided to The Record, Hoffman said it is exploring properties in Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka and more for potential new Oberweis retail locations.

“The Oberweis and Hoffmann Commercial Real Estate teams are eager and very excited to expand within the North Shore and bring our super premium, Kosher Certified ice cream and dairy products to more families. We will share more news and store opening dates in the coming weeks and months,” the statement reads.

Oberweis Dairy is a family-owned business with operations and storefronts across the country. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 12. As previously reported by The Record, Oberweis owed more than $4 million to at least 20 creditors, including $173,000 to Cook County.

On June 17, Oberweis Dairy was officially auctioned off to Osprey Capital, of the Hoffmann Family of Companies. Hoffmann is a family-owned private equity firm that owns numerous companies across the country. 

Following the purchase, Hoffmann published a press release announcing that the current president at Oberweis, Adam Kraber, is set to stay. Hoffmann plans to work hand in hand with Kraber to “develop a new strategy to enhance operations, drive expansion, and maintain the premium quality that Oberweis represents,” as the statement reads. 

The 544 Lincoln Ave. location was most recently home to Lincoln Avenue Bakery, owned by Don Reilly. The shop closed its doors on May 28 about 16 months after opening (as Brittany’s Butters) in January 2023.

Behind the shop’s closure, Reilly cited a conflict with his business partner and financial challenges to support the business. 

“I was filling a void and it was fresh homemade stuff,” Reilly said, as the bakery was the only one in Winnetka.

Reilly is devastated by the closure.

“That business was my life, and it crumbled down around me, and it ruined me financially,” Reilly said. “Now, I’m scrambling to find a job. I lost my house in the process too. I’m not here to cry on anybody’s shoulder; I’ll get by. I don’t want the village to think I was just some happy-go-lucky baker and that I just packed up ship and I left.”

Reilly said the Lincoln Avenue Bakery awning was removed within days of closing, and the Oberweis Dairy sign appeared.

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