SheReen Bakery Owners Rebuild After Monday Night Smash-And-Grab

The front glass door of SheReen Bakery in Skokie lay shattered on Monday night after a thief broke in and fled with the cash register. The incident marks the first major security breach for the shop, which opened its doors only two months ago.

Surveillance footage captured a man in black clothing with a hood up and a concealed face during the break-in. Pegah, a co-owner, described the sound of the glass breaking. "The window just shattered on him," she said. "It scared us, because if he were here, he can do anything to us, too."

Raheleh, the other co-owner, said police officers told her the suspect likely scouted the location before the robbery. Officers advised the owners to review their camera footage to check for prior visits. "It is like they knew what they are going for," Raheleh said. She noted the emotional toll of the event on the small team.

The theft struck a business with a unique identity in the region. Raheleh stated that SheReen is the only Persian bakery in the Chicago area. The owners hope to share their culture with the local community despite the disruption to their new venture.

News of the break-in spread quickly on social media. Neighboring businesses and customers gathered at the store to show support. Many buyers purchased the remaining inventory for the day, effectively clearing the shelves.

Madeleine England of Kneads & Wants Artisan Bakery said she saw the news on Instagram and felt compelled to act. "I feel like this is the time that everybody needs to come together," England said. She visited the shop to introduce herself and discuss potential collaboration. Raheleh said the community response helped the staff continue working through the aftermath.