The café opens with a free public celebration from 12-5pm featuring music, speakers, and garden-grown foods
Uhuru Bakery & Café will host a public grand opening on August 15th at 3719 W. Florissant Ave., featuring farm-to-table Caribbean, African, and Southern foods and live entertainment. The event invites the public to celebrate Marcus Garvey’s 139th birthday and marks a milestone toward achieving an independent economy in North St. Louis.
Comfort Food in Cozy Quarters
At its grand opening event, you can expect spicy jerk chicken sandwiches and sides of potato salad and coleslaw (vegan options available). Wash it down with homebrewed ginger beer, iced hibiscus, air roasted coffee, or iced tea – but be sure to leave room for dessert. From tantalizing chocolate bourbon pecan and gooey lemon chess to crunchy apple crumb and signature sweet potato, UBC unambiguously makes the city’s best pies.
Beyond its enticing menu, the creators of UBC have curated a beautiful space. Calming wood tones playfully contrast African motifs and images of powerful leaders such as Fred Hampton, Malcolm X, and Marcus Garvey, the last of whose 139th birthday is commemorated by UBC’s grand opening.
A New Face, With 40 Years of History
While UBC will be new to the neighborhood, Uhuru Foods and Pies has a storied history of purveying homestyle foods with simple ingredients for over 40 years at markets from coast to coast – most recently, at Soulard Farmers Market.
The establishment of UBC’s brick-and-mortar location marks the latest victory for the Black Power Blueprint. Founded and led by Ona Zené Yeshitela, President of the African People’s Education and Defense Fund, this group of initiatives is dedicated to transforming the lives of the African community of North St. Louis through housing renovation, economic development, and political power. UBC joins Shamba La Uhuru Freedom Farm, the One Africa! One Nation! Farmers Market, and the community basketball court to create an economic ecosystem that grows, prepares, and distributes fresh food and combats a long-standing food desert.
Uhuru Bakery & Café will bring together community members from across St. Louis City to celebrate with great food and vibrant culture. Its grand opening on August 15 marks a hard-fought victory for North St. Louis and African people everywhere, made possible by passionate African leaders and dedicated volunteers.