It’s out with one and in with another on the Naperville business scene, with the closure of yet another downtown business but openings soon in store for the city.
‘It feels bittersweet’
Molly’s Cupcakes at 30 W. Jefferson Ave. is closing on Sunday, the store announced through a post to Facebook.
Molly’s Cupcakes opened in downtown Naperville in January 2019. It debuted to big crowds, with lines of people waiting for a chance to try the sweet fare. The store sold out on its first day.
Katie Wood, executive director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance, also confirmed the store’s closure.
“The building (owners), who own and operate this Molly’s Cupcakes location, (have) decided to close this cupcake location and have leased the space to a new restaurant concept,” Wood wrote in an email.
The Downtown Alliance does not have the name of the new restaurant or the time frame for when it will be opening, according to Wood.
“It feels bittersweet,” the cupcake store wrote on Facebook. “After 6 unforgettable years, it’s time to say goodbye. … To all our sweet customers — thank you for the love, laughs and loyalty. This was the sweetest ride in the fantastic community of downtown Naperville.”
Originally founded in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, Molly’s Cupcakes now has a host of locations, including several in New York, Ohio, Iowa, Tennessee and Michigan, according to its website. Blueberry cheesecake, cookie monster and peach cobbler are just a few of the flavors the bakery boasts.
While Molly’s Cupcakes closes, Wood said to keep an eye out for other businesses due to open downtown this year, including: ALO Yoga, an activewear brand at 21 W. Jefferson Ave.; Le macaron, a French pastry shop at 23 W. Jefferson Ave.; and Birkenstock, a footwear brand at 20 W. Jefferson Ave.
Karve Pilates
A new pilates studio is opening at 4827 S. Route 59 later this summer.
Karve Pilates is due to launch in south Naperville on June 26, according to co-founders Ben and Grayson Donachie. The studio has been in the works since early 2024, the couple said in a call Friday.
This is their first business together. They decided to pursue the venture because they both come from movement backgrounds and “have been impressed with what (pilates) has done for both of us in different ways,” Grayson said.
Grayson grew up dancing, she said, while Ben worked in professional soccer for more than a decade.
Their studio will offer both group classes and private sessions.
In either setting, though, the duo promises a “fully-equipped boutique experience,” Grayson said.
“I think what’s going to set us apart,” she said, “is the elevated space, our instruction, our commitment to precision and just personalizing the experience for each and every client.”
Central Bark
Dog care franchise Central Bark is opening a location this spring at 4389 Fox Valley Center Drive, across the street from Naperville’s Fox River Commons on Route 59, according to a news release.
The facility will offer dog day care, boarding services, baths and grooming, among other services, the release said. There will be 9,000 square feet of indoor space and more than 3,700 square feet of outdoor play space.
Central Bark was founded in 2003, according to its website. Today, the brand has grown to include more than 40 locations across over a dozen states, hosting more than two million dog visits.
Fastsigns acquisition
A custom signs shop in Naperville has acquired a company out of Yorkville.
Fastsigns at 1552 N. Aurora Ave. announced that it was merging with Direct Sign Systems earlier this month. As a result of the acquisition, several employees of Direct Sign Systems, which had operated in Yorkville for more than 25 years, will be joining the Fastsigns of Naperville team, according to a news release.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the acquisition of Direct Sign Systems,” Fastsigns of Naperville owner Jon Cornbleet said in the release. “This merger feels like a perfect fit, as both of our organizations share a commitment to high-quality sign production, integrity, and a strong customer-first culture. By combining our expertise, we can offer even more comprehensive services to both new and existing clients, creating a powerful synergy that enhances our overall value proposition.”