'The Mad Baker' Cheesecakes By James Marks Crest Hill Opening

JOLIET, IL ? Downtown Joliet's loss has become Crest Hill's gain. James Sankey, who likes to be known as "The Mad Baker," marks the grand opening of his new Cheesecakes By James dessert shop in Crest Hill on Friday, just in time for National Cheesecake Day.

"I've got way more space here," Sankey told Joliet Patch during Thursday's interview. "Mad baker re-emerges in Crest Hill for National Cheesecake Day."

Sankey vacated his storefront in downtown Joliet across from the Rialto Square Theatre in June after being on North Chicago Street the past two years. His new location off Weber Road is in the Crest Hill Plaza, at 21113 Division St.

The size of Sankey's new building is about 5,000 square feet. His new kitchen alone is the size of his previous storefront in Joliet.

Sankey said he made the move to Crest Hill because he needed a much bigger kitchen to keep up with the growing volume and interest in his homemade cheesecakes.

He continues to grow in popularity ? the Facebook page for Cheesecakes By James now has 9,790 followers and 9,207 Facebook likes.

This summer marks his 10th anniversary of running Cheesecakes By James.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sankey will celebrate his grand opening in Crest Hill, open for customers, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Friday, Cheesecakes By James will have DJ Marked Musiq, who is known as a DJ for all events, on hand for the special occasion.

Sankey said he is making 1,500 slices of cheesecake in six different flavors in honor of National Cheesecake Day.

National Cheesecake Day is Saturday, July 30.

What flavors can you expect to get this weekend at the new address for Cheesecake By James?

Lemon. Blueberry. Raspberry. Turtle. Strawberry. Original.

Sankey said one of the reasons why he liked the idea of relocating to Crest Hill is because so many of his customers come from Joliet's west side and nearby communities.

On Division Street in Crest Hill, he expects to draw his core customer base from Joliet, Crest Hill, Plainfield, Romeoville and Shorewood.

As for National Cheesecake weekend, "I'm expecting the weekend to be filled. I expect visitors from everywhere. I'm right here. They better come," he said with a smile.

Sankey said he hopes a lot of his customers order his original cheesecake.

"I want them to remember the original," Sankey said. "Because, that's where the magic began."

On Thursday, Joliet Patch reached out to long-time Crest Hill Mayor Ray Soliman regarding the addition of Cheesecakes By James at the Crest Hill Plaza.

"John, we are very proud and excited to welcome Cheesecakes By James to the city of Crest Hill," Soliman responded. "His cheesecakes are well known and enjoyed by many people in the area.

"This new business will make Crest Hill a destination point to many customers in the entire region."

Sankey said he's been preparing for his big move from Joliet to Crest Hill since March.

Now, grand opening day is finally here.

Of huge importance, Sankey wants his customers to know that Cheesecakes By James has a new phone number: 815-900-9050.

And starting next week, the new Crest Hill dessert shop will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sankey said.

"I like that I've got great parking for all my visitors, the front and the back," Sankey said. "I'm excited to turn the power back on. I'm glad to be back at work, doing what I love. I'm excited. You better believe it. The return of the mad baker continues."

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

James To Sell 2,000 Cheesecakes: 'Say Hello To The Mad Baker'

Cheesecakes By James: 'National Cheesecake Day Like A Recharge'