Jewel Box: The Story of Spinning J

Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain
  • 4.9 (8)
  • FOOD

Starting a business without any partners, investors, or corporate sponsorship is hard. Keeping it alive for a decade is even harder. Yet Chicago's Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain has done just that. As the much-beloved Chicago spot celebrates 10 years in business, "Jewel Box" takes listeners inside to learn what makes this restaurant tick and how it went from a dream to an iconic destination for national foodies and locals alike. Produced by half day media.

Episodes

  1. 12/17/2025

    5: The Heart and the Future

    We meet a local who has visited Spinning J from the beginning, growing up alongside the restaurant as it became more than just a business. Then, Dinah and Monica look to the future and ponder big questions: What does the next decade hold? And how do you grow a brand without losing its soul? Produced by half day media.

    19 min

  2. 12/12/2025

    4: The Tightrope Walk

    Everything gets more expensive, every day. Perhaps no one feels that like a small, local restaurant and bakery. Dinah, general manager Monica Walters, and Spinning J’s alderperson, Jessie Fuentes, illustrate the struggles of keeping a place like this alive and well — against all odds. Produced by half day media.

    12 min

  3. 12/03/2025

    3: A Love Story

    We take a brief segway from the story of a business to the story of a relationship. The night baker and the pastry manager work opposite shifts at a bakery. But in the case of Richard and Brigid, their paths crossed just often enough to lead to something special. Take a peek into their unique love story and hear how they manage to keep both their relationship and Spinning J stay afloat and thrive, on a 24/7 schedule. Produced by half day.

    12 min

  4. 11/26/2025

    2: The Night Baker

    You’ve probably never seen him. But if you’ve eaten at Spinning J, you’ve had something prepared with care by Richard Ridinger. He’s been the restaurant’s overnight baker, clocking in as most of us go to bed and working through the night. As Spinning J’s doors open, Richard disappears back home, only his work left behind. But on this episode of “Jewel Box,” we take a peek into the life of the man who has kept the restaurant running for 10 years. Richard and Spinning J have grown up together and eventually, led him to love. Produced by half day media.

    15 min

  5. 11/19/2025

    1: Inside the Jewel Box

    Before Spinning J was an award-winning restaurant, it was many different things: An idea in Dinah Grossman’s head. Unwanted dishware, sitting in thrift stores across the country. A way to make some cash out of her apartment. A vacant art gallery. We get a glimpse inside one of Chicago’s most beloved bakeries, learn about its origins, and hear from the team as they prepare for the biggest day of any pie shop’s year: Thanksgiving. Produced by half day media.

    11 min

  6. 11/19/2025

    Introduction: ‘You’re almost doomed to fail’

    An overture to the story of Spinning J as it celebrates a decade in Humboldt Park, Chicago. Produced by half day media.

    2 min
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Starting a business without any partners, investors, or corporate sponsorship is hard. Keeping it alive for a decade is even harder. Yet Chicago's Spinning J Bakery and Soda Fountain has done just that. As the much-beloved Chicago spot celebrates 10 years in business, "Jewel Box" takes listeners inside to learn what makes this restaurant tick and how it went from a dream to an iconic destination for national foodies and locals alike. Produced by half day media.

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