After nearly three years of being separated by a gastropub and Mexican restaurant that came to life when the sun went down, Ren Bakery reunited with its sister, Ren Coffeehouse, at St. Philip’s Plaza on March 5.
The bakery moved into the former home of Limited Additions boutique next door to the coffeehouse at 4320 N. Campbell Ave. Suite 12, alongside the Diamond Street stretch of the Tucson Loop.
“It was always a dream to have a bakery ideally in the same location,” said owner Lisa Ocker. “When the space became open, it seemed like the next best thing.”
Ren Bakery’s last day in its old location was March 2. Over the following two days, the team moved equipment and furniture to the new space.
“We built the new location for our needs, so we didn’t just move into it as it is like we did with the previous space,” Ocker said. “We moved everything that we could over, but since we doubled the space, we added a refrigerator and a freezer, and we also have more display and storage space.”
The new location is designed for the bakery’s needs.
Ren Bakery opened at the new location next to Ren Coffeehouse on March 5. Its hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
“Now we are able to share the courtyard, be more visible, and it feels like one big happy family,” Ocker said.
Combining forces with the coffeehouse, Ren Bakery will no longer have its made-to-order food menu, but it will double its baking team to keep up with the everyday demand as well as special events.
“We are going to have more space for another baker,” Lane said. “The larger baker space will give us opportunities to fulfill large orders, birthday or office parties, and even wedding cakes.”
A shared patio is just one of the advantages of the new location.
The bakery will have weekly menus including gluten-free and vegan options as well as weekend specials.
Ren Bakery also hopes to increase its bread program.
“We hope to get into the routine of making bread and baguettes in addition to the pastries,” Ocker said. “Our baker, Chandler Donald, has a lot of bread experience, so it’s awesome that he can bring that here.”
The move puts the bakery closer to the Tucson Loop, a favorite with local cyclists, and further away from the frenzy of Union Public House and Reforma Modern Mexican, two restaurants that attract large happy hour and after hours crowds.
“We will miss the bustle and nightlife from the other side of the plaza, but we are excited to get started with the new location,” Lane said.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
