The Bears are excited to kick off the 2024-2025 Small Business All-Pros program, presented by PNC, by spotlighting Classic Cobbler as the first winner in a series of three selected businesses this season. As part of this recognition, from Nov. 19 to Dec. 2, Classic Cobbler will receive exclusive promotion through the Bears' digital platforms, social media and in-stadium exposure at Soldier Field.
Located at 3453 S. Prairie Ave. in the heart of Chicago's historic Bronzeville neighborhood, Classic Cobbler provides a cherished family tradition to Chicago's dessert scene. Owner Bran'Arla Johnson founded the bakery alongside her mother and brother in 2010, crafting a legacy inspired by Southern family recipes passed down through generations. With a perfected flaky, buttery crust, Classic Cobbler's homemade offerings include peach, apple, blueberry and blackberry cobblers , alongside a variety of pies and puddings, including lemon cream pie and banana pudding.
"We pride ourselves on offering excellent products, customer service and providing an environment where our customers can enjoy the ambiance of our café," said Bran'Arla Johnson, owner of Classic Cobbler. We're looking forward to seeing how this program can increase our marketing efforts, boost sales and help us to grow and sustain our business for long term success. This program will allow us to hire a few more employees to help us expand beyond our retail store boundaries and reach out to collaborate with other local businesses and enter the wholesale market. We're incredibly honored to be recognized by the Bears and look forward to sharing our cobblers with even more Chicago fans."
Classic Cobbler's story is one of dedication to family, community and craft. Starting in their home kitchen, Johnson and her family baked for friends and neighbors until increasing demand led to the opening of their first brick-and-mortar store in Chicago Heights in 2010. After transitioning to online ordering in 2015, the family fell in love with Bronzeville and established their current location in October of this year. Classic Cobbler has been a featured vendor at prominent city events, including the Taste of Chicago and the Hyde Park Jazz Fest, and their cobblers are also served at Lexington Betty's Smoke House in Pullman.
"It is inspiring and heartwarming to support a program which has the potential to accelerate success for a hardworking small business such as Classic Cobbler," said Scott Swanson, PNC regional president for Illinois. "We're excited to see how this new visibility will create job growth in Bronzeville and an increase in sales, while holding true to creating homemade flavors from Chicago."
Beyond desserts, Classic Cobbler has established itself as a community hub. Recently, the bakery expanded its positive impact by hiring three new employees, offering indoor seating and creating a welcoming environment for all. Classic Cobbler extends discounts to seniors, non-profits and employees from the nearby Chicago Police Department's headquarters. Additionally, they engage with block clubs regularly like Bronzeville King Drive and Bronzeville GAP Community to host local events in the bakery's inviting space. The bakery's commitment to creating a friendly and community-oriented atmosphere is reflected in glowing customer reviews and positive feedback.
To learn more about Classic Cobbler and explore their offerings, visit: ClassicCobbler.net.
