Quantum Donuts: A Sweet Future for South Chicago
In South Chicago, a unique business is blending tradition with innovation: Chico’s Oven has introduced Quantum Donuts, a rebranding effort to attract customers as a new quantum computing campus takes shape nearby. Owner Jorge Perez hopes the construction of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park will lead to revitalization in the community.
A Family Legacy
Chico’s Oven has been in the Perez family since the 1970s, and the introduction of Quantum Donuts has proven to be a hit. “These are the donuts my dad would make,” Perez shares, expressing affection for the recipes that have been passed down through generations.
Community Growth and Revival
The donuts have quickly risen to become the restaurant’s most popular item since their launch last September, and business is on the upswing. With a quantum computing campus being developed just blocks away at the former U.S. Steel South Works Plant, Perez is optimistic about economic growth. He reminisces about the disinvestment the area has faced over the last 30 years, stating, “Here’s a chance to build a whole new community from the ground, with folks who’ve lived here.”
Preserving History While Embracing Change
Community leaders, like Malki Brown of the Euclid Block Club, echo Perez’s sentiments of hopeful investment, but emphasize the need to honor the neighborhood’s history. “We want to preserve the culture of our community as well as see investment in our community,” Brown notes.
The enthusiasm for the quantum computing development, branded as “Quantum Shore,” is palpable, but so is the commitment to ensure the community’s essence remains intact.
In conclusion, as South Chicago embarks on this transformative journey, the vision is clear: to merge innovation with tradition, making the future just a little sweeter for everyone involved.
