Magnolia Bakery’s Loop shop at Block 37 on State Street is dark for now, after city inspectors walked in Monday and walked out ordering the place closed. Their findings: live and dead cockroaches, swarms of small flies in prep areas, food debris on equipment, and other sanitation problems that were serious enough to halt operations on the spot.
By Monday afternoon, the State-and-Randolph storefront had signs taped to its doors announcing it was closed until further notice, leaving downtown office workers and tourists wondering what happened to one of the Loop’s better-known dessert stops, famous for banana pudding and buttercream cupcakes.
Inspection Failure And Immediate Closure
According to ABC7 Chicago, the Magnolia Bakery location at State and Randolph failed a City of Chicago health inspection on Monday. The inspector’s notes cited live and dead cockroaches in prep areas and “food debris build-up” on mixers and other surfaces, the outlet reported.
ABC7 Chicago also reported that it had reached out to Magnolia Bakery for comment but had not yet received a response about plans to reopen.
What Inspectors Found
NBC Chicago, citing the city’s Food Inspections records, reported that inspectors described an “infestation” involving more than a dozen live cockroaches, several dead cockroaches and over 100 small flies. The report also logged other violations, including hand-washing sinks that were not easily accessible, gaps around exterior doors that could allow insects to get inside, chipping paint, and food debris left on equipment.
City records on the Food Inspections portal show that the failed inspection followed a consumer complaint. The bakery was categorized as a high-risk establishment and ordered to secure pest control services as part of the corrective steps.
Bakery Response
In a statement to NBC Chicago, Magnolia Bakery said it was “addressing a corrective plan of action” and would only reopen after the city authorizes it to resume operations.
The company said its plan focuses on facility repairs and employee retraining and that it expects to reopen shortly once all identified issues have been resolved.
Where It Is
Magnolia’s website lists the Loop outpost at 108 N. State Street inside Block 37 and provides store hours and contact details for the location. The site pitches the shop as a downtown spot near the Art Institute and Millennium Park, a regular stop for tourists and nearby office crowds looking for a sugar break.
Part Of A Wider Pattern
The Magnolia shutdown comes as Chicago health inspectors have recently suspended other eateries over similar problems. CBS Chicago reported that Stella’s Diner and The Bagel in East Lakeview were temporarily closed this month after inspectors found cockroach infestations. The Bagel has since reopened following pest treatment.
City officials typically allow restaurants to resume service after pest control, a full cleanup and a successful follow-up inspection, although repeated violations can lead to longer suspensions.
