Handmade macarons at Atrevete Confections (Kyle Yamanaka / Yaam Media)
Atrevete Confections in Montgomery, Illinois has been designated "Illinois Made" by the Illinois Office of Tourism.
Each year, the Illinois Office of Tourism selects a group of small businesses that exemplify the hidden gems, experiences and one-of-a-kind products that make Illinois a great place to explore for residents and visitors alike. Atrevete was selected as one of 30 small businesses to join the program in 2022.
“It's an honor to be selected as one of the thirty businesses featured in the Illinois Made program,” said Jacqueline Mejia, owner and executive pastry chef at Atrevete Confections. “There are so many great small businesses in Illinois so this award is very exciting for all of us at Atrevete and we share this award with the Village of Montgomery, because they have supported us in so many ways.”
The Montgomery Village Board celebrated Atrevete’s inclusion in the Illinois tourism program with the presentation of an Illinois Made plaque delivered by Mayor Matt Brolley and Executive Director of the Aurora Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cort Carlson.
“I couldn’t be prouder to announce the 2022 Illinois Makers class—the most representative of our diverse state since the inception of the Illinois Made program,” said Governor JB Pritzker in a statement released last fall. "Here in Illinois, we have it all: stunning wood carvings, mouthwatering pastries, and the most delicious barbeque in the nation—all thanks to our small businesses."
Atrevete Confections serves up a delicious experience in Montgomery, Illinois
Executive Chef Jacqueline Mejia and her team at Atrevete Confections have been serving up those aforementioned mouthwatering pastries in Montgomery since 2018.
“Atrevete means bold and daring, that would be the best way to describe my personality,” said Mejia. “Atrevete’s journey started at farmers markets in Aurora, and Oswego. From there we opened a brick-and-mortar location in Montgomery because a kitchen space was available. I did a lot to get the word around from wholesaling to nearby coffee shops, farmers markets, and more pop ups.”
Just steps away from a picturesque bend in the Fox River at Montgomery Park and neighboring business Gray’s Mill Estate, Atrevete is a local favorite for its menu of French-inspired confections and pastries like croissants, macarons, and made-to-order crepes. A rotating selection of signature pies and cheesecakes can be ordered to go or enjoyed in-house within Atrevete’s inviting storefront at 216 N. River Street.
Atrevete is also excited to announce that an Atrevete food trailer will be at Chicago Premium Outlets this spring, where Mejia’s team will serve hand-made crepes, signature macarons, and a rotating menu of special items to be announced.
A diverse class of Illinois Makers
The 2022 Illinois Makers class represents the most diverse since the program’s inception, with more than 60 percent of businesses owned by women or people of color. From French pastries to elegant, handcrafted ceramics, each of the Illinois Makers featured help inspire travel throughout the state.
Locally, Atrevete joins four other previously designated businesses located in the Aurora Area, including Endiro Coffee and Wurst Kitchen in Aurora; Hearth & Hammer General in Batavia; and Hardware Sustainable Gastropub & Brewery in North Aurora. Read the Aurora Area CVB's guide to Illinois Made destinations in the Aurora Area at enjoyaurora.com/illinoismade.
Learn more about Atrevete Confections at its website, atreveteconfections.com, on social media at Facebook and Instagram, or by visiting Atrevete’s listing on the Illinois Office of Tourism website at enjoyillinois.com/explore/listing/atrevete-confections/.
To find out more about Illinois Made, visit enjoyillinois.com/illinois-made.