By Chrisina Fernández-Morrow
After 13 years of sweet success, this family-owned bakery doubles down with a new space and a menu that goes beyond cakes.
Sterling, IL.- In 2013, Aurelio Gallardo satisfied Sterling’s sweet tooth with creative cakes and a warm welcome. Over the years, that cozy, modest bake shop on Avenue G evolved into a much-loved local institution. Today, Aurelio’s Cake Factory Bistro & Cafe at 2907 Locust St. in Sterling, IL, has nearly twice the space, an expanded menu, and plans for features that will make it one of the area’s most inviting eateries.
The move marks a turning point for the family-owned business, transforming it from a neighborhood bakery into a full-service bistro while keeping the reputation for quality and hospitality that built its loyal following. “Opening a new location comes with a steep learning curve,” said Gallardo. “It’s been a 24/7 effort to adapt our processes to a new space.”
The new location offers what the old one couldn’t: room to grow. There are more dine-in seating options, a build-your-own cake bar where custom eight-inch, single-layer cakes are made on the spot, and a rotating menu that offers sandwiches, soups, bagels, custom cream cheeses, and specialty coffee drinks that will change with the seasons. The cookies, cupcakes, muffins and cakes that made Aurelio’s a must-have for celebrations share space with savory options designed to bring customers in throughout the day, not just for special occasions.
Menu items bear the names of American icons like the Dolly, named after Dolly Parton, as a playful nod to the vintage Hollywood aesthetic throughout the renovated space. Photos of Elvis Presley, Selena, Rita Hayworth and other legends line the walls, complemented by new floors, fresh paint, and décor meant to feel bright and nostalgic. “We knew people were excited, but seeing the same customers come back multiple times in our first few weeks is really humbling,” said Gallardo. “Every day is a new adventure, from settling into our new kitchen, to meeting so many new faces and old ones.”
Photos by Slater Photography
Gallardo runs the business with his wife, Araceli, Regular customers often note they’ve watched the boys grow up in the bakery, a testament to the longevity and consistency that define the family’s approach. and their sons Alex, Xavier, and Emiliano, who have worked alongside their parents for years. “We’re overjoyed by the warm welcome from the neighborhood,” said Gallardo.
Before opening Aurelio’s, Gallardo studied graphic design and worked at a printing and sign company in Mexico. He moved to Sterling in 1990 at age 19 and found work in local restaurants and bakeries, including the former McCaslin’s Bakery. That experience laid the foundation for what would become his own venture more than two decades later.
The new building, once home to Candlelight Inn, carries its own legacy, connecting Aurelio’s present with Sterling’s past. The restaurant was a fixture for decades, opened by the late Bob Prescott in 1967. His son operated it until 2023. Now, the building begins a new chapter.
Gallardo’s vision for the new space goes beyond sweets, sandwiches and coffee. It includes a drive-thru and renting the upstairs banquet space for private events, turning the building into a hub for quick lunches and milestone celebrations.
For a business that started with a small storefront, a knack for neighborly hospitality, and a love for sweet treats, now has room for new ideas that will honor where Aurelio’s began, while creating space for what’s to come. Gallardo and his family remain dedicated to spreading joy while growing into their vibrant new space. “We’re excited to keep growing and finding new ways to make people happy,” said Gallardo.
Aurelio’s Cake Factory Bistro & Cafe is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 7am-5pm Saturday.
Visit them on Facebook or call 815-626-2253.
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