Uprising Bakery & Cafe, which was slated to close March 31, will be staying open for business, according to owner Corrina Sac.
The Lake in the Hills establishment had faced reduced business after a number of anti-LGBTQ+ incidents, leaving Sac more that $30,000 in debt. “I am grateful to tears for all the help from so many people,” said Sac in a March 31 press release. “Because of the groundswell of support, we are able to stay open.”
Sac said she will begin looking for a new McHenry County location for her business.
Uprising’s difficulties began after there was a harsh reaction to a planned July 23, 2022 family-friendly event that would feature drag performers. The store was seriously damaged the night before the show, an incident that would lead to an Alsip man—a Proud Boys member—being charged with a hate crime and criminal damage to property. Several months of harassment against Sac, her employees and customers followed.
Sac had planned to close Uprising as business slumped with the controversy. But a successful online-fundraising initiative will let the bakery stay open.
“People want us in McHenry County,” she said. “Uprising is more than a bakery with vegan and gluten-free choices, it is a safe space. We will stay in McHenry County because it is my home. We are exploring new locations to move to at a future date. In the interim, we will focus on the bakery and close the café in mid-April. We will use that space for private events and some retail products on consignment. We still need community support to keep the business running. As long as our followers continue to come to us for vegan, gluten-free, nut-free and custom bakery goods as well as catering, we will continue to serve them.”