Staffing Shortage Means No Paczki For Local Bakery

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — A Lake in the Hills bakery that's become a hotspot for those wanting a delicious Paczki will not be making the popular Polish doughnuts this year due to staffing shortages.

Chicago-area residents have been stopping out to Konrad's Bakery on Fat Tuesday for years to pick up their favorite Paczki. Last week, the bakery, which is located at 9531 Ackman Road in Lake in the Hills, announced it would not be able to offer the sweet treat since they did not have enough staff, according to a post on the bakery's Facebook page.

Paczki — pronounced "puhnch-kee" — are traditional Polish doughnuts and are a once-a-year delicacy, traditionally made by bakers trying to use up all their eggs and lard before Lent begins. This year, Paczki Day will be on March 1.

Several fans of Konrad Bakery have taken to Facebook to show their support for the bakery, letting them know they hope they'd be able to find more staff soon, while others shared their disappointment in not being able to enjoy the sweet treat from a bakery that "certainly made the best." One Facebook fan even offered to come in and help bake.

"We are all so sad but completely understand! Here’s to amazing paczki next year," according to a comment from a Konrad's Bakery Facebook fan.