JENNIVEE’S, LAKEVIEW’S INDULGENT SWEET SPECIALISTS WILL SOON OPEN A SECOND BAKERY

After six years of stuffing sweet-toothed Chicagoans with decadent cupcakes, cookies, and custom cakes, lauded late-night local sweets spot Jennivee’s Bakery is on the cusp of a major expansion that will soon bring its indulgent treats and an inviting LGBTQ-friendly space to Lakeview.

Owner Jenni Vee will launch Jennivee’s Bakery & Cafe with a rainbow-themed grand opening just in time for the end of Pride on Saturday, June 28 at 2925 N. Halsted Street, according to a rep. Vee, a trans-Filipina baker, has spent more than a year hunting for a location and preparing to unveil the cafe, which she hopes will become a hub for neighborhood residents and LGBTQ locals seeking a third space for Sparrow coffee, baked goods, breakfast, brunch, and gelato. When Vee opened her original bakery in 2017 at Sheffield and Aldine in Lakeview, the bakery embraced a range of Filipino flavors, including ube years ahead of the Filipino baking boom now rippling through Chicago. At the time, many locals weren’t familiar with the country’s ingredients or distinctive baking traditions,

Jenivee’s rapidly turned novices into adherents with creations like ube-chiffon purple velvet cake loaded with coconut and ube mousse; and banana-based turon cake with jackfruit jam filling and cream cheese frosting. The bakery also set itself apart in a crowded market by opening in the afternoon and evening. When it opened, the original Jennivee’s was open until 2 a.m., but that has since changed to 11 p.m.

Jennivee’s is bustling all year round, but Pride is an especially busy time as fans flood the bakery for Vee’s rainbow cupcakes dusted in edible glitter and trans pride cupcakes (lemon cake, strawberry filling) topped with pink, white, and blue buttercream. In 2023, Vee told reporters that it’s important for her to be visible as a transgender business owner amid ongoing social and legislative discrimination against queer and trans people.

Stay tuned for more on the new bakery’s debut.

Jennivee’s Bakery & Cafe, 2925 N. Halsted Street, Scheduled to open Friday, June 28.

2024-06-25T19:18:00Z dg43tfdfdgfd