RAVENSWOOD — Mindful Baking Cafe’s location in Ravenswood has opened, serving gluten-free and vegan pastries, thanks to a successful fundraiser.
Owner Diane Mejia opened the location Wednesday at 1942 W. Montrose Ave. after months of renovations. It is open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
“It’s a very inviting, warming place to sit and hang out with your friends. You can have a meeting. It’s so homey, and I think that’s what makes us different and why people keep coming back,” Mejia said.
Mejia started the bakery from her home about eight years ago and has largely operated out of a wholesale kitchen in Ravenswood while selling her pastries at farmers markets and cafes, including Reprise Coffee Roasters.
In November, Mejia launched a fundraising campaign on Kickstarter with a $10,000 goal to renovate the interior of the Ravenswood location so she could open there. She ended up raising more than $16,000.
“I can’t express how grateful I am for all the love and support,” Mejia said.
Mejia has a rotating menu she is changing weekly as she feels out what customers are interested in ordering alongside their coffee, she said.
Mejia’s also offering a holiday menu where customer’s can call in orders for vegan and gluten-free cupcake boxes, a variety of pies and cheesecake for a Friday pickup.
“There’s been situations where customers tell me they’re going to a holiday dinner and they have nothing to eat,” Mejia said. “But having these options to grab and go makes gluten-free and vegan food more accessible to the community.”
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