"New York’s Levain Bakery, best known for its giant and gooey cookies, is opening its first Chicago location this weekend inside the former Maude’s Liquor Bar space in the West Loop. Levain sees Chicago potentially as a hub for their e-commerce business, shipping boxes of cookies around the country from the Midwest. The focus is on local customers with an open kitchen so customers can see the baking process. The Chicago location has partnered with Backlot Coffee for a special blend and will donate proceeds from their opening day to Lyte Collective. The space features a mural by UIC graduate Libby VanderPloeg, depicting city landmarks and famous Chicagoans." - Samantha Nelson