Tucked inside the walls of 1429 West Grand Avenue was a forgotten clue to one of Chicagos greatest immigrant success stories.Now home to the Wandawega @bureauoftourism , this 1881 building launched the career of Louis Kuchurisson of Greek immigrants and eventual Hall of Fame baker. When his father died, young Louis went to work to support his family, driving a horse and wagon to deliver bread door-to-door. By 12, his grit earned him a promotionoff the streets and into the kitchenwhere he learned to bake on the very enamel brick wall oven that stood inside Atlas Baking Company here on Grand Avenue.From there, Louiss determination carried him further. He went on to purchase other bakeries across the city, expanding his reach and refining his craft. Eventually, in a full-circle moment, he returned to the very bakery where he had learned as a boyAtlasand bought the company outright.With help from researchers at @chicagomuseum, we uncovered turn-of-the-century plot drawings showing exactly where that oven once stood. During demo, we revealed the oven wall again and left it exposed as the backdrop of our spacea living reminder of Chicago grit + immigrant hustle.Kuchuris grew Atlas into East Balt Commissary, operating in 14 countries and supplying more than 9,000 McDonalds worldwide. His vision and perseverance earned him a place in the 2009 Baking Hall of Fame, and in 2017 the company was sold to Grupo Bimbo for $650 million. What began with a 12-year-old immigrant bootstrappers determination has now provided opportunities and security that his great-grandchildren can still reap the benefits of todaya lasting testament to his grit.It all began here, with a boy who went to work young and learned his trade by 12 on a built-in oven at 1429 West Grand Avenueproof that the biggest stories often start in the unlikeliest of places. And fittingly, part of this backstory is featured in the latest issue of @ediblechicago , which devoted three full pages to the Wandawega Bureau of Tourism (and whats baked into the walls)(Next up: uncovering the story behind the sign we found wrapped up in the garage- last pic)

September 25, 2025 • Published by Tereasa Surratt • Instagram