Events at Blazed Bakery, Northbrook

About Blazed Bakery

Blazed Bakery in Northbrook is a unique cannabis-infused café and bakery. It opened in February 2023 and was launched by partners Abid Ashiqali and Eric Harper as part of a lifestyle brand mission to provide “the best quality and experience through local community engagement” (whatnow.com) (blazedbakery.net). The venue is minority-owned (Black-, South Asian-, and woman-owned) and has quickly become notable in the local scene (blockclubchicago.org). It occupies the former Leonard’s Bakery building at 2776 Dundee Road, continuing a long history of baked-goods at that location: Leonard’s ran there for 34 years, and Wake-n-Bakery (a related hemp bakery) opened there in 2022 (www.dailyherald.com). Blazed Bakery sets itself apart with brightly colored decor and murals (for example, a green-accent wall and a large animated-style mural by a local artist) and a fun, artful vibe (blockclubchicago.org). Unlike a standard coffee shop, Blazed Bakery’s menu includes both regular and THC-infused baked treats (cupcakes, cookies, brownies, etc.) that are made fresh daily (whatnow.com) (www.dailyherald.com). The branding emphasizes an inviting, every-person atmosphere – reviewers note a “friendly, welcoming atmosphere” and even “incredible vibes” here (www.atly.com). In short, it’s a neighborhood coffeehouse-style hangout where adults can buy and consume cannabis-infused food and drink in a casual setting.

Events and Programming

Blazed Bakery Northbrook operates mainly as a walk-in cafe and dispensary, rather than a traditional performance venue. There are no regular concerts or theater performances on site. Instead, the focus is on serving customers throughout the day. Occasionally the brand hosts community-oriented gatherings (for example, Blazed Yoga or open-mic nights have been held at the Chicago location), but at Northbrook there is no fixed event schedule. Visits are typically unscheduled – customers drop in off the street to shop or hang out. Staff may promote special theme days or holiday treats (like Cinco de Mayo infused tacos), but there is no need for advance tickets. In practice, you can plan a visit at any open hours with no reservation or ticket required: the space is open for general admission and purchases at all times during the posted schedule.

Tickets and Booking

Since Blazed Bakery is a retail café, there is no ticketing or box office. Entry is free; you simply walk in and place your order at the counter. There are no presales or reservations needed for normal visits. For occasional special events or classes (such as a group yoga session or private tasting), the company may announce details on its website or social media, but these are typically free or included with purchase (for example, one promo was “free yoga class with any infused purchase” on certain evenings). The menu prices are clearly posted on-site. One online review notes that the bakery offers “good prices overall” on its items (www.atly.com); in general, most pastries and infused treats are in the moderate range (roughly around $10–15 per piece depending on size and THC content). In summary: no need to buy a ticket – just come in and pay for what you want to try.

Seating and Layout

The venue is laid out like a small café in a strip mall. Historically, Wake-n-Bakery (the previous tenant) occupied about 2,560 square feet here, with roughly 600–700 square feet front-of-house dedicated to the coffee service (www.dailyherald.com). Originally Wake-n-Bakery did not offer any seating (all items were takeout) (www.dailyherald.com). Today, Blazed Bakery may have a few seats or bar stools, but it remains a compact space focused on the service counter and display cases. You’ll likely see the pastry case up front, a menu board overhead, and tables or stools arranged along one wall if seating is provided. Overall capacity is quite limited (on the order of a few dozen people max at any one time). Acoustics are typical of a coffee shop: expect background music and lively chatter. One guide describes the vibe inside as “low-key and welcoming” and notes that the energy is “calm” – it is warm and cozy rather than loud or raucous (blazedbakery.net). In practical terms, this is general admission seating. There is no VIP section, and no reserved seats – early visitors can choose the only available tables. Avoid seating too close to the entrance if you plan to linger, as employees will have to check IDs at the door. In short, treat it like a neighborhood bakery café: order at the counter, then find an open chair if available.

Getting There and Parking

Blazed Bakery’s Northbrook address is 2776 Dundee Road (Illinois Route 68), at the northwest corner of Waukegan Road. This is on the town’s main commercial strip between downtown Northbrook and Northbrook Court Mall. By car, the fastest route is usually via Waukegan Road just off I-94 (“Edens Expressway”) or via Lake Cook Road. There is a large parking lot for the Dunbrook Center plaza where the bakery sits, so customer parking is available on-site (www.waze.com). Additional parking can be found along adjacent plazas. If using public transit, Pace buses serve the area: routes 213 and 626 run along Dundee and stop nearby (moovitapp.com), providing local service. Alternatively, Metra trains stop at Northbrook (Union Pacific North line) and at Deerfield (Milwaukee District-North line); from either station, a short taxi or bus ride reaches Dundee. (For example, the 626 bus heads toward the Skokie CTA/Northbrook Metra station.) A taxi or rideshare drop-off can be done right at the store entrance. Nearby highways include I-94 and US-41, making it relatively easy to reach from Chicago or the northern suburbs. As always, factor in rush-hour traffic: late afternoons and weekends can be busy in Northbrook. Overall, driving is most convenient, but transit options exist via the Northbrook train stations and Pace buses (moovitapp.com).

Inside the Venue

When you enter, expect a typical dispensary check-in – staff will ask for your ID (proof of age) at the door (blazedbakery.net). The interior is bright, with green accent walls and murals, and a smell of coffee and fresh pastries. The menu is prominently displayed behind the counter, and each item is labeled with its flavor and THC/CBD dose (blazedbakery.net). All items are pre-packaged for dosing, but the bakery items (cupcakes, brownies, etc.) are made on-site. Drinks available include coffee, tea and lemonade; notably, each can be served “normally or infused with delta-9 THC” by special request (whatnow.com). (No alcoholic beverages are served – it’s strictly a café.) In addition to infused sweets, they sell a few drinking snacks like lemonades and iced teas. The atmosphere is casual: the staff is known to be friendly and helpful – reviewers mention “super nice” employees and a relaxed vibe (www.atly.com). You can pay with credit card or cash; nearby storefronts (like the Dunkin’ next door) confirm that point-of-sale systems accept cards (www.waze.com). If you want to consume your treats there, you may sit at a table (if available) or stand in a designated area. Note that open cannabis smoking is not permitted (consistent with state law), though discreet edibles and drinks may be enjoyed on premises. Wi-Fi is not advertised, so plan to use your own mobile data. There is a restroom for customers, and no coat check – keep valuables with you. Merchandise is minimal (this is mainly a food/drink shop) – you’ll find the baked goods and drinks up front and a few small displays (perhaps branded swag or gift items) near the counter.

Nearby Amenities

Blazed Bakery stands in a busy shopping corridor, so there are many amenities within a few blocks. Right next door is a Dunkin’ Donuts for breakfast sandwiches and coffee. A bit further on Dundee, there’s a Panera and a Chipotle across the street. Gas stations and convenience stores litter the immediate area. If you want something more substantial, the Northbrook Court mall (at Lake Cook & Waukegan, ~1 mile southeast) has chain restaurants (e.g. Fig & Olive, The Fresh Fish Company, etc.) and upscale shopping. Downtown Northbrook (Shermer/Dundee area) is about a mile east, offering local diners (like Barnaby’s or Next Door Bistro) and pubs (e.g. The Federal, Loft 22). A Mariano’s grocery and a Sprouts market are within 0.5 miles for snacks or soft drinks. Hotels are a short drive away: the Embassy Suites/Milwaukee Marriott area near Lake Cook, and several Hilton/Choice hotels off Willow Rd are 5–10 minutes away. (This is the North Shore, so lodging is generally suburban; there are not hotels right on Dundee.) In short: plan to arrive early if you want to dine locally beforehand. Many people grab a bite or coffee at one of the strip’s cafes or at the mall, then head to Blazed Bakery. After your visit, late-night rideshares are available, or you can hop on a Pace bus (the #626 on weekends stops at the mall which connects to Metra) to meet other transit. (moovitapp.com)

What Makes This Venue Special

Blazed Bakery is special because it merges a casual café vibe with the novelty of legal cannabis edibles, something unheard of in most suburbs. It repurposed a historic local bakery site (Leonard’s) and refreshed it as a community space, blending the old with the new (www.dailyherald.com). As a minority- and woman-owned business (blockclubchicago.org), it brings diversity to Northbrook’s retail scene, and its festive decor (anime-inspired mural, bright green walls) stands out. Inside, the staff treats customers as friends. One Yelp-like review sums it up: “great little shop with a lot of options” that’s both health-conscious (vegan/gluten-free items (www.atly.com)) and fun. The business also tries to support local artists and events – for example, they commissioned a mural for their Chicago location and announce holiday-themed specials on their infused menu. Customers have remarked that people “come in happy and leave happy” at similar Wake-n-Bakery locations, and Blazed continues that laid-back, inclusive ethos. In short, people and artists love Blazed Bakery for its community feel, creative food offerings, and friendly service – it’s not just a purchase spot, it’s a destination in Northbrook’s neighborhood.

Visitor Tips and Information

This is a cannabis consumption venue in Illinois, so you must be 21 or older to enter. Bring a valid government ID – staff will check it on every visit (blazedbakery.net). The store is wheelchair accessible (the plaza entrance is flat) (www.waze.com). No minors or pets (except service animals) are allowed inside. Wear casual clothes – there is no formal dress code. Service is counter-style, so tip as you would at a coffee shop if desired. Security is reasonable but plan for a brief ID check at the door. Bags: there is no official bag check, but large backpacks or parcels may be inspected or limited in the store (common at cannabis shops). Outside food/drinks aren’t allowed (except your own non-cannabis beverage). Photography: taking photos of your friends is fine, but avoid filming the cash register or other patrons without permission. Time your visit: the bakery is busiest in late afternoons and on weekends, so if you prefer a quieter experience, try a weekday morning or mid-afternoon. Know that dosing is responsible: staff will advise first-timers to start low (around 2.5–5mg THC) and wait 1–2 hours before consuming more (blazedbakery.net). If consuming on-site, do so restore yourself quietly and dispose of any wrappers. Finally, plan transportation: THC edibles can be surprisingly strong, so if you try them here avoid driving yourself home.