There is a new organic bakeshop and cafe in the heart of Pike/Pine. Shikorina Pastries celebrated its “grand re-opening” and is now settled in on E Pike.

“Cake is back!,” the latest social media post for Shikorina exclaims. “Chocolate chiffon w/ strawberry jam and vanilla buttercream,” the hand written sign promises.

CHS reported here last month on the plans from baker Hana Yohannes to move the Black, queer, and woman-owned “organic, sustainable Central District bakery” off of E Union and into the heart of E Pike in the space left empty by the exit of Portland vegan Jewish deli chain Ben and Esther’s.

The move is an opportunity to leave lease, financial, and personal challenges behind, Yohannes said.

In the Central District, CHS talked with the business owner here in 2022 about her dedication to community and sustainability and the boost she received from the Pastry Project, a Seattle baking and pastry training program that creates economic opportunity for individuals with barriers to employment. The cafe continues to carry those values forward with options for “sliding scale” pricing to make the baked goods made with all-organic and fair trade ingredients more affordable for those who can use a discount.

“Everyone should have access to quality food products and we all need a pastry every now and then,” Shikorina says about the program. “While we are a tiny business and still struggling through this pandemic, it’s important to us that we serve all of our community members.”

The bakeshop says the discount program isn’t funded by a grant or other backing so it asks “customers who are able to pay full or partial prices” to “support us so we can keep our business alive.”

Meanwhile, Shikorina fans also helped with the move by supporting a community fundraiser to help fund the new shop’s finishes. The space offers cafe seating including space on its second-level mezzanine.

Now with a new longer-term lease in hand and the personal challenges from the old location left behind. Shikorina and its purple paint are making a new home on Capitol Hill.

Shikorina Pastries is open daily 9 AM to 6 PM except on Wednesdays at 907 E Pike. Learn more at shikorinaseattle.com.

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