History + Purpose
Dorothy’s Sweet Shoppe, formerly known as Dorthy’s Can-Do Cafe, provides experiential learning opportunities for Gateway to Learning participants to practice customer service and social skills with its neighborhood community. Our culinary arts education provides individual, progressive pathways from bakery work to café scenarios focusing on customer service, store cleanliness and filling customer orders. For the latter, participants operate equipment, handle merchandise and manage cash register transactions. All products are baked, packaged and sold by the participants of Gateway to Learning with proceeds directly supporting the nonprofit organization’s services.
Gateway to Learning participants bake, package and sell all goods available to the store and online.
Dorothy's Sweet Shoppe, located in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood just a stone's throw from Northcenter, Ravenswood, Andersonville, West Ridge, and Albany Park. The storefront is open to the public Monday - Friday, 9 am - 2:30 pm and on Saturdays, 9 am - 1 pm. Street parking is ample. Customers can stop to eat or work at several tables in the cafe or in summer of 2024, at tables in a new courtyard adjacent to the shop. Both spaces create a forum for bringing neighbors and other local businesses into Gateway to Learning’s space, and cultivating interactions that lead to fuller lives for participants and clientele alike.
Call for more information or for large orders: 773-784-3200
