Business: Sara Lee to Shut Oak Lawn Outlet Store

The impending split of Illinois-based Sara Lee Corp. into a global coffee company and a North American operation under the Hillshire Brands banner, also means the demise of its 11 outlet stores including the longtime store on 95th Street in Oak Lawn.

Peter, the manager of the , referred calls to a corporate media spokesman but said regular customers had been coming into the store since the news was announced Thursday lamenting its eventual closing.

"We have some pretty loyal and regular customers," he said. "They are disappointed the store will be closing."

The Oak Lawn store carries an extensive line of discounted Sara Lee products.

The closing also will affect an outlet store at 18400 Governors Highway in Homewood.

Matt Pakula, senior manager for corporate communications for Sara Lee, said Friday there was no timetable for the closings but added the stores will close by the end of November.

Pakula said Hillshire Brands after the split would not be able to devote the “attention required for success in stand-alone retail operations.”

Nine of Sara Lee's outlet stores are in Illinois. Each store employs about seven people.