'The Profit' Star Marcus Lemonis Buys Lake Forest Business

Marcus Lemonis, a Lake Forest resident and host of CNBC’s ‘The Profit,’ has partnered with the owner of a Florida-based business to buy a popular shop in Market Square.

The Jolly Good Fellows retail store at 270 Market Square will be converted into a full-service Sweet Pete’s Candy Shop over the next month.

Sweet Pete’s, originated in Jacksonville, Fla., will offer items such as gourmet chocolate, frozen yogurt, ice cream, baked goods, cotton candy, irresistible snacks and other nostalgic confections - anchored by its signature candy making classes and space availability for birthday parties and other private catered events.

“Opening a Sweet Pete’s in the Chicagoland area allows us to create new ways for customers to enjoy timeless favorites and test the business model in different markets,” said Allison Behringer, owner of the new Lake Forest Sweet Pete’s.

Lemonis initially partnered with the Sweet Pete’s Candy Company on The Profit, where Lemonis stepped in to assist couple, Behringer and her husband, Pete.

Sweet Pete’s manufactures a line of quality chocolates and sells almost a thousand different types of candies. The new Lake Forest location will boast a fully functioning candy factory and dessert bar, with patrons also having the option to create their own bulk custom candy mix finished with a variety of packaging available for special events and gifts. In addition, Sweet Pete’s will feature a 2,000 square foot event room that offers space for catered events, candy making classes and birthday parties.

Previous owner Laura Fellows opened Jolly Good Fellows in 2013.

The last day of business for Jolly’s was Thursday, August 13, according to the Daily North Shore.

“For the last two years we have had the pleasure of serving the families of Lake Forest and Lake Bluff and the surrounding neighborhoods,” Fellows wrote in a letter to customers. “Thank you for the large outpouring of support and praise for our little shop and making it such a huge success. We built this for the community and because of you, it has grown very quickly.”

Jolly Good Fellows team of employees, baked goods and recipes will continue to be a part of the Sweet Pete’s business. Jolly Good Fellows gift cards will be honored when the business re-opens as Sweet Pete’s.

Recently, a grand opening ceremony was held in Highland Park for ‘The Simple Greek,’ a Pennsylvania-based restaurant that partnered with Lemonis on ‘The Profit.’