Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Golden Hour Bake House, a new cafe, is officially opening its doors this weekend in downtown Springfield. Located at 11 W. Old State Capitol Plaza, the cafe is the brainchild of Alli Donaldson, a local entrepreneur who started at the Old Capitol Farmers’ Market nearly four years ago.
Donaldson described the evolution of her business as “a slow burn”, with her made-from-scratch baked goods gaining popularity over a couple of years. As demand grew, Donaldson expanded into a commercial kitchen, which allowed her to start wholesaling her products. This move enabled her to build valuable community partnerships.
Donaldson, who has been renovating the space for the past six to nine months, is excited to bring a vibrant new look to the corner of 5th and Adams. “It’s bright pink and orange, and it’s so much fun. We’re so proud of it.”
She is a Springfield native and expressed her love for downtown and the supportive community. “I think it’s really sweet that we started down here at the farmers’ market and then found the most stunning location ever,” she said.
Golden Hour Bake House is opening just down the street from where the devastating fire in June 2024 destroyed 413 E. Adams and caused significant damage to the surrounding buildings. Donaldson said, “It’s so unfortunate what happened to a bunch of the businesses right here on Adams. I feel grateful to step into the space.” She said aims to be an advocate for Adams Street and downtown. She also hopes to inspire young women and girls to pursue their passions and consider entrepreneurship.
The cafe will offer a variety of breakfast and lunch options. “We’ll have breakfast sandwiches, made-from-scratch bakery items, and a deli-style lunch with soups, salads, and sandwiches,” Donaldson explained. The cafe’s hours will be Wednesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The made-from-scratch baked goods, include cake donuts, muffins, and breads. The cafe also offers allergen-friendly options, such as gluten-friendly and vegan items.
The grand opening is scheduled for Saturday at 8 a.m. Donaldson is grateful for the support from the business community and looks forward to becoming a member of the downtown family.
