bakers' supply in north suburbs?

Hi, I'm a LTHForum newbie. Love it so far. I never would have known otherwise anyone who has been to the Charcoal Oven restaurant in Skokie.

My question:

Does anyone know of a bakers' supply supply store in the north suburbs or north side? I'm looking more for ingredients than equipment. I can get an ok variety of baking ingredients at stores like Whole Foods, but is there any one place to look at, for instance, the complete line of King Arthur Flour? One thing (as an example) that I can't find anywhere I've looked is durum flour.

Thanks

I'm not sure how extensive their selection is, but I'm pretty sure I remember seeing King Arthur Flou being sold at Costco.

As for King Arthur Flour, I've seen regular unbleached flour at my local Jewel (Skokie Ave & Gross Pt. Rd.), Whole Foods (Evanston), and Trader Joe's (Glenview). I can't vouch for the speciality flours, but it's possible that both WF and TJs also had whole wheat and/or bread flour.

For other baking ingredients, I would check out the Home Economist in Skokie (just take 41/Skokie Ave. South to Gross Pt. Rd. Turn right, and it's about 1 block down). They have a wide variety of many kinds of flours sold in bulk. I'm not as crazy about the spices (I prefer the Spice House), but for some things they are great. As an example, I was able to get buckwheat flour for blinis! I will bet my bottom dollar they have durum wheat flour in bulk.

They also carry lots of jimmies, colored sugars, candy toppings and a wide variety of cookie cutters.

The Home Economist
9159 Gross Point Rd
Skokie, IL
(847) 674-7252

People's Market in Evanston carries a large chunk of the King Arthur line, and many items from Red Mill & some other grain companies. [Just be sure to check the dates on things, since I've had some experience with the store selling things that aren't as fresh as I'd like.]

Giovanna