Streator-area teen and her mother open bakery

Homeschooled 15-year-old Alea Ogle’s parents bought the storefront at 121 E. Main St., Streator, without an idea of what to do with the building, but a plan surfaced when she started selling baked goods at local farmers markets.

Ogle fell in love with baking at the age of 13 when she realized the hobby she enjoyed was something she could profit off of.

“I started waking up at 2:30 a.m. to prepare for the farmer’s markets,” Ogle said. “I’m going to work hard and just keep going. The farmer’s markets helped me build that habit.”

Blue Eyed Rascal will open with a launch party Saturday, June 22, with Ogle handling the baking. There also will be test openings of the bakery before then to allow her to get used to consumer demands.

Additionally, Alea's mother Jody said she hopes to open a distillery in the building's Park Street entrance by next winter, providing local whiskey and a tasting room that is only allowed to serve beverages they have brewed or distilled themselves. The distillery will be run by Alea’s mother, who also is handling the construction portion of the Blue Eyed Rascal.

“We’re doing this together,” Alea said. “Mom handles the construction and some of the business stuff, and I handle the baking.”

Ogle said the plan is to carry more of what people like going based off of what she has sold in the past. Her blueberry scones and sugar cookies are popular items, she said.

“I’m doing my own thing,” Alea said. “I’m going to be different. We’re going to be fun and welcoming, and we can’t wait to join the other Main Street businesses.”

Blue Eyed Rascal will also be serving coffee from Intelligentsia, a brand based in Chicago that specializes in free trade coffee that gets its beans from farms with high environmental sustainability standards.

Business hours have yet to be determined, but Alea said they will not be able to open every day of the week, as she still needs to keep up with her schooling and FFA commitments.

For more information on Blue Eyed Rascal, go to facebook.com/blueeyedrascalbakery/ on Facebook or call 815-419-1895.

• ABOUT THE BUZZ EXTRA: The Times regularly publishes The Buzz column on Mondays to report local business happenings, including the opening of new businesses and businesses that are closing. The Buzz Extra expands upon regular Buzz coverage with profiles and features on businesses.