Levain Bakery, the beloved New York-based bakery known for its delicious cookies, is set to open a new location in Beverly Hills at 130 S. Beverly Dr.
The company’s third Los Angeles location, and 19th overall, will replace Mainland Poke Shop, spanning 1,270 square feet with an additional 400-square-foot mezzanine, according to Los Angeles Business First. This expansion marks another milestone in Levain’s steady growth, with the bakery planning to employ nearly 30 workers at this location. The Beverly Hills opening comes on the heels of Levain’s new location in Venice, which opens tomorrow, April 4th, at 1661 Abbot Kinney Blvd. The bakery’s expansion into Southern California has been met with enthusiasm, as Levain has long been a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Los Angeles has been the number one market for Levain’s cookie shipments outside of New York, solidifying the decision to open a second location in the city.
“We dreamed of opening in LA for a long time, and over the years, we had so many people visit us in New York and ask if we would ever open on the West Coast,” Levain Bakery founders Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald tell What Now Los Angeles in an exclusive interview. “We knew there was demand in LA, too, because LA is the #1 market that people ship Levain cookies to, outside of NY. Ahead of opening in Larchmont, we researched and searched for the perfect spot for several years! When we finally found the perfect spot, we jumped immediately. When we opened in Larchmont in 2023, we were overwhelmed by all the love we received from LA. We could not have imagined a more exciting reception.”
The new Beverly Hills location is part of Levain’s broader strategy to bring its neighborhood-focused approach to more communities. According to the bakery, the location is perfect for the Beverly Hills area, providing a new sweet spot for locals and visitors. Levain’s team is dedicated to maintaining the high-quality experience they built in New York, where they opened their doors 30 years ago. Levain’s success lies in its commitment to quality, ensuring that all cookies and other baked goods are fresh daily using only the best ingredients. The company prides itself on its community-focused values, including donating unsold goods to local organizations daily. Levain Bakery’s newest Los Angeles locations are also significant because the company is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
“Our growth over the past 30 years has been slow and steady,” the founders tell What Now. “We want to be sure that each location we open feels like a neighborhood bakery and gives the same experience that we started with on 74th Street 30 years ago. We never want to compromise the quality of our cookies or other baked goods. We always bake everything in each bakery freshly every day using great ingredients. We donate any leftovers each day to local organizations and have done so since day one at 74th Street. We don’t try to compete with what’s trending; we focus on our unique and simple approach, and we only make things that we truly love ourselves. Stick with what you love. That, and build a team that’s kind and a team that cares about our team, our products, and our community.”
As Levain Bakery continues its West Coast expansion, the company looks forward to introducing even more communities to its famous cookies and welcoming new customers to its increasingly popular locations. While there have been challenges, such as dealing with LA’s fires during the Venice opening, Levain remains focused on the joy its products bring people. The team is excited to get a sense of comfort and community in each new neighborhood, with the Beverly Hills and Venice locations poised to become the latest destinations for sweet treats in Los Angeles.
Photo: Official
