Cacao is run by Candace Hunsinger, a Grayslake local, who had the intent of making a “true community gathering place,” according to its website. Cacao features many sweet treats, such as cupcakes, chocolates, and their bread of the day. All of the products are made from scratch daily, and are tossed at the end of the day if they are not consumed.

All of Cacao’s products are natural and organic, a goal of Hunsinger from the start. They feature non GMO ingredients, making their sweet treats better on the consumer’s body. “Food should be real, pure, and made from scratch,” wrote Hunsinger on Cacao’s website. Senior Hailey Hall visits Cacao on a regular basis. “Most bakeries use unnecessary ingredients, which makes the treats unhealthy,” Hall said. “My favorite item at Cacao is the salted caramel cake.”

I went to Cacao for the first time after school on Thursday. Immediately, I loved the vibe that the shop gave off. The inside was decorated with vintage furniture and DIY wall decorations. All of the sweets and treats were behind a glass counter, portrayed perfectly. As far as the sweets themselves, I ordered a blueberry cupcake made with a cream cheese frosting and topped with blueberries. The cupcake wasn’t too sweet, and had the perfect amount of blueberry. It tasted fresh as well, can be hard to come across in a bakery. To add, the cupcake was just over $3, making the after school snack extremely affordable. Overall, my first experience at Cacao was great, and I would highly recommend stopping in on a special occasion.