A small family-owned business in Fairview Heights closes its doors after nearly 8 years
Based on a tip from a reader, I learned that a Fairview Heights bakery may have closed its doors.
So I checked it out.
After nearly eight years in business, Lizzie Bob’s Bakery is “officially, permanently closed,” confirmed owner Elizabeth Toepfer.
When asked about the reason for the closing, Toepfer said that the cost of everything kept rising. And since moving to a bigger location, rent was higher.
She and husband Bob Toepfer couldn’t keep up and couldn’t keep raising their prices.
They were open for a long time for a small business and very proud of it, she said, adding that they exceeded their own expectations.
“We tried our best,” said Toepfer.
Not only did the bakery close, folks won’t see them with their mobile bakery at farmers markets or other area events either.
Toepfer said they are completely out of the food industry.
They’ll miss their customers, she said. Many of them became family, and a lot of others became friends.
When asked what’s next for the couple, she simply said there will be a “new chapter for Bob and I.”
About Lizzie Bob’s Bakery
Starting as an in-home business, Lizzie Bob’s Bakery opened its first commercial location in November 2016 at 823 Lincoln Highway in Fairview Heights.
Specializing in cakes, cookies and other sweets, the bakery operated there until May 2022, when the Toepfers temporarily closed to prepare for a move to a larger location at 5500 N. Illinois St., also in Fairview Heights.
Lizzie Bob’s Bakery reopened at the new location in August 2022 and soon after offered more than snacks to soothe a sweet tooth by adding frozen meals, sandwiches and other food items.
A week after reopening, Elizabeth Toepfer said the first week “was the best week we’ve ever had,” including the six years at the Lincoln Highway location.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREShare your tips
Dear readers,
We know you love news about restaurants and other businesses in southwestern Illinois. And we love to write columns and stories about them.
But we could use your help. We need your eyes and ears to let us know what is going on across this expansive region because we can’t be everywhere in every community.
So please share your tips, suggestions, story leads, questions and announcements about restaurants and other businesses in our region. We’re looking for news about new places, moves, menu changes, major renovation projects and whatever you think would be of interest to your fellow readers. Are you curious about something you have seen or heard about a local business or restaurant? Share those questions with us and we can check them out.
Please send your information to Jennifer Green at jgreen@bnd.com and newsroom@bnd.com or call 618-239-2500.
Thanks for your help!
