Sugarless Treats at Mokena’s Newest Bakery

Marie Martinez, a resident of New Lenox, has helped her father, a resident of Mokena, deal with the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes for more than 20 years. One of the major battles he has dealt with is finding food options that don’t include sugar.

As Richard Martinez has always said, “Everybody deserves a dessert.”

That motto has become the driving force behind Sugarless World Bakery, Mokena’s newest business as of Aug. 27, the date planned for its grand opening, according to Marie Martinez.

The bakery has been a long time coming, and the pair has put much time and effort into making it happen. It will only be the eighth or ninth sugar-free bakery in the United States, according to Richard.

“My dad came up with the concept to have a sugar-free bakery, but then the economy went downhill and we knew construction would be affected,” Martinez said.

Martinez and her father both have degrees in construction management, so they were able to overcome the obstacles and get the ball rolling. The pair has traveled the country for the past two years, tasting different products and choosing the best ingredients to use.

The result will be freshly made pastries and desserts at Sugarless World Bakery, located at 19458 S. LaGrange Road in Mokena.

“It’s near both of our homes and it’s in close proximity to I-80,” Martinez explained. “We’ll be open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. so commuters can stop in before work and on their way home.”

Marie also pointed out that senior citizens tend to lean toward establishments on the main drag, so being right off LaGrange is perfect in that respect.

The full-service bakery will serve fresh baked goods, with everything made right in the store and 99.8 percent of the ingredients will be from the United States, Richard stated.

“The whole bakery is sugar-free, so there is no fear of cross-contamination,” Richard said.

Menu items to look for include an array of cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, pies, cream puffs, éclairs and much more. While father’s favorite item is the éclairs, Marie said she expects the cheesecake and strudels to be a hit among customers.

“We had friends taste a regular brownie and a sugar-free brownie, and no one could tell which was sugar-free,” she added. “More people actually liked the sugar-free.”

Marie said she hopes to attract a clientele of diabetics, senior citizens and anyone looking to become healthier and cut down on sugar.

“When was the last time a child with diabetes was able to have a birthday cake, or able to bring cupcakes into his classroom to share on his birthday,” Richard said.

“We want kids to feel like they’re not different just because they have diabetes,” Marie added. “They can live a normal life and eat what their friends eat.”

On Aug. 27, at the grand opening, Marie explained that the first 50 customers will receive a special surprise. Also, if you send an email to sugarlessworld@aol.com before the opening, Martinez will send you a coupon for a free turnover that day.

Following the grand opening, Marie will post the daily specials on the bakery’s Facebook page. Samples will be available everyday, and there will be a weekly pie drawing via raffle tickets that customers automatically receive after purchasing an item.

Martinez doesn’t plan on stopping there, she said once the bakery is established, there are plans to eventually offer sugar-free ice cream and candies. Beyond that, she hopes the bakery will become a one-shop stop for all types of sugar-free groceries.

“Diabetics will have one place to go for their sugar-free needs rather than roaming the aisles of major chain grocery stores,” Martinez said. 

Martinez said she and Richard also hope to sell their products to local restaurants, banquet halls and other types of venues, so there is always a sugar-free option for diabetics.

“The most rewarding part of this is to see diabetics be able to eat a dessert, especially children,” Martinez proclaimed.

Since Martinez has received over 2,000 emails and more than 12,000 hits on the bakery’s website, she already knows it’ll be a hit.

“The stories and support we’ve already received has been incredible,” she said.

For more information, call 708-218-8125 or visitwww.sugarlessworld.com.