× Expand Courtesy Baked The cookies at Baked are described as "ooey gooey," as in crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside.

A new bakery is coming to downtown St. Charles just in time for the holiday season.

Baked, a Bakery Café, will open soon in the former RT Weiler's space, at 201 Main Street in St. Charles. The owners are in the process of renovating the space for an opening slated for December, says co-owner Nicole Simpson.

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The bakery opening marks a milestone for Simpson and co-owner JoyLynn Waganer. The pair has a small space inside Mid Rivers Mall where they make sandwiches, cookies, and wedding cakes. They also offer catering and nationwide shipping for their cookies, which have found somewhat of a niche. The signature cookie, the $5 XXL, tips the scales at half a pound and comes in eight flavors, including the Southern Comfort, featuring candied pecans and white chocolate.

The ultimate signature cookie is the 1-pound Inception (pictured below), a peanut butter cookie wrapped inside a double chocolate cookie, layered in a chocolate chip cookie.

× Expand Courtesy Baked

Courtesy Baked Sweet sushi rolls (edible cookie dough with snickers and cheesecake)

The new space will provide more baking space for the bakery, a café (with an area for monthly events), and a bar that serves “upper-class cocktails,” draft beers, and craft beers. "We look at it as three separate businesses," Simpson says, "and we have a manager for each one."

The café will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner service. All of the dishes will be baked; none will be deep fried. The bakery and café will also serve keto, gluten-free, and vegan options for guests with special dietary requirements.

Simpson points out the lack of breakfast options along Main Street and sees an opportunity, especially when the menu includes different takes on the basics, like “shirred eggs” (the bakery’s take on baked eggs) and “wake and bakes” (baked omelettes). There are no donut shops on Main Street, either, Simpson adds, so look for donuts in the bakery case as well.

Lunch will include sandwiches, soups, salads, and zucchini fries.And dinner will be informal, with such finger foods as stuffed mushrooms and loaded baked potatoes.

"There are several ways to experience Baked," Simpson says, "and we're already thinking up more."