James To Sell 2,000 Cheesecakes: 'Say Hello To The Mad Baker'

JOLIET, IL — James Sankey announced that his downtown Joliet dessert business, Cheesecakes By James, intends to sell 2,000 whole cheesecakes between now and Jan. 1.

"From November to January 1st is our cheesecake-athon," Sankey told Joliet Patch on Monday.

That number, 2,000, has an important significance to his life and his career as a baker.

Now 40 years old, Sankey was 19 and living on the West Side of Chicago when he was shot. Doctors at the Loyola Medical Center performed surgery. They saved Sankey's arm. Now 21 years later, Sankey is known around the Joliet area as the city's top cheesecake baker.

In the summer of 2020, Sankey returned to downtown Joliet and opened his cheesecake storefront at 81 N. Chicago St. He's right across from the Rialto Square Theatre.

On Monday afternoon, Sankey told Joliet Patch he's become "the mad baker."

According to Sankey, M.A.D. is an acronym for the words: Master of my craft; Adapted to the world; Driven to my goals.

"In the summer of 2000, I was a victim of a shooting on the west side of Chicago, where I was raised," Sankey told Patch. "A 9 mm bullet struck my right arm, shattering the bone, leaving not much remaining for the doctors to work with. But when God sent angels and the Holy Spirit to assess with the doctors, my arm was saved from being amputated.

"Today, I stand strong with both arms creating the most delicious cheesecakes for my amazing customers," Sankey reflected. "Say hello to the M.A.D. baker."

Coinciding with his lofty goal to sell 2,000 cheesecakes during the next 60 days, Sankey said he has added several new flavors: butterscotch, white chocolate peppermint with Oreo crust, blackberry and vanilla bean.

"Plus, we have the original flavors as well," he remarked.

Sankey said he did a lot of reflecting on his life and the importance of the year 2000.

"Can you imagine making cheesecake with one arm?" he asked. "My past does not define me, it only helps shape who I am today."

Sankey believes he can reach his goal. To reiterate, it's 2,000 whole cheesecakes, not 2,000 slices of cheesecake.

"I wanted to honor that year, 2000, when my arm was saved," he said. "I'm going to push out 2,000 cheesecakes. All of my volunteers have signed up to help me accomplish my goal. A portion of the profits are going to Shorewood HUGS and the Guardian Angels Community Services, and we're doing a toy drive."

He said the cheesecakes are great for school events, company parties and all family gatherings.

He encouraged area customers to start placing their orders for the holidays ahead of time.

Sankey's Joliet dessert shop has a mighty following on social media. The Cheesecakes By James Facebook page has 9,165 followers and 8,699 likes.

"I want to take care of the people that support us," Sankey said. "I will be the M.A.D. baker."

Besides pickup at 81 North Chicago St., Cheesecakes By James also does deliveries.

Cheesecakes By James is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. He's closed on Monday.

People can order cheesecakes by calling or texting Cheesecakes By James at 815-409-7339. He also has a website.