A new bakery started by workers from the former Shoofly Vegan Bakery is coming soon.
Catscratch Co-op Vegan Bakery is set to open at 2816 NE Halsey Street. The lease has been signed and now the owners are waiting to introduce the space to the community. This is in the Sullivan’s Gulch neighborhood.
The bakery will be sending out sample boxes of their items next week, and then they will have a retail counter open a little later than two weeks out. A date has not yet been set. Justin Hillsmith, one of the worker-owners of the bakery out of 13 people, told What Now Portland he has been working on getting the equipment in place since July 1, and the property manager has been finishing the improvements.
The business has been advertising some of the baked goods on their Instagram, such as donuts, candies, cookies and brownies. According to Hillsmith, there are also discussions of serving cold brew coffee at the space, but nothing has been decided.
“We will primarily be a bakery,” Hillsmith said.
The workers come from the former Shoofly Vegan Bakery following failed negotiations for a new bakery and a walkout. A gofundme for the business was set up to help the Shoofly employees open their new co-op. As of July 8, over $22,000 has been raised.
Inside, there will be limited seating. According to the gofundme, there will be subscription boxes and counter service retail. The business has been setting up bake sales to promote the new shop as well.
For more information, visit their Instagram @catscratchcoop.