Baker Receives Boost From Illinois Made Program Recognition
Baker Receives Boost From Illinois Made Program Recognition
By Tia Carol Jones
Chelsea Goolsby-Eberhart has been baking for as long as she can remember. Her first business venture happened when she was in high school, selling baked goods as a way to raise funds for the Japanese Anime club she was in. Now, she is the owner and baker at Crumb Crusher, a 100% peanut and tree nut-free bakery in Oak Park.
Crumb Crusher was recently named to the 2025 Illinois Made Makers program. The Illinois Office of Tourism’s Illinois Made program highlights businesses throughout the state of Illinois. The small businesses that are part of the program are either nominated for the recognition or apply to be a part of it.
Goolsby-Eberhart worked at Chicago Public Schools and would bring treats to her students. She found out that some of the children had food allergies and wanting to be inclusive in distributing her treats, she figured out how to make peanut and tree nut-free baked goods that all the students could enjoy.
Goolsby-Eberhart decided to name her business Crumb Crusher after the endearing name her grandmother gave her. She said her grandmother taught her a lot and was committed to being inclusive. Goolsby-Eberhart wanted to keep that going through her bakery. She said that being recognized as part of the Illinois Made program is beyond amazing, but at that same time, it is the kind of recognition she wanted her grandmother to have.
“I’m happy that I have this for myself, but this is really something that I felt that she was deserving of. I just feel like she was helping me work toward this,” she said. She added that it is important for her that she is able to carry on and make sure her grandmother’s legacy and commitments are being felt by others.
Goolsby-Eberhart’s treats are known for their unique visual style. She said the design influence is a result of her family being very artistic and very diverse. She said being interesting, being different and being on the fringe is important to her. Her father is one of the founders of House music, her aunt’s art can be found throughout the bakery and her mother has an eye for details, displays and merchandising.
“Giving something that is just as visually appealing as it is flavorful, that’s really important for us,” she said.
Coming from a diverse family, Goolsby-Eberhart has been exposed to different cultures, foods and flavors. In everything she does, she is respectful of that diversity and respectful of all of those facets. She said her favorite dessert is the deep dish chocolate cookie pie. It is a chewy cookie that has a thin layer of chocolate ganache poured on top. She said each bite of it tastes like a freshly made cookie, every time.
Gooslby-Eberbart said she wants to get back to hosting classes at the bakery. A self-described Blerd, she also wants to do game nights and art classes. She wants to get back to having more engaging events.
“We pride ourselves on being a safe space, not only for people with food allergies, but anyone who feels like they are on the outskirts and feel like they don’t fit in. You don’t have to love Anime to come here … just come, sit, visit,” she said.
Crumb Crusher is located at 805 South Blvd. in Oak Park. For more information about Crumb Crusher, visit www.cclucakes.com or call 251-225-3482. For more information about the Illinois Made program, visit www.enjoyillinois.com
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