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n0m_chompsky OP t1_iwrk3e2 wrote

Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with the business in any way, I just live nearby and am excited for tasty treats and coffee within walking distance.

Oak Bakeshop 'soft opened' this week, self-described as a "Jew-ish bakery and cafe." They've got pastries, baked goods, coffee as well as espresso-based drinks like lattes. I had a sticky bun and peanut butter & jelly cookie this morning and they were divine. Coffee is great too. There's no set menu but they have a decent spread of sweet and savory options so there will probably be something you'll like :)

They're over on Cypress & Camp and open Tuesday to Sunday, 7am - 2pm. As a heads up, if you want baked goods you'll want to go on the earlier side - I went on opening day around 11am and everything was sold out (still had coffee though!)

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eastcoastflava13 t1_iwsvhie wrote

Is this in the old Rebelle Bagels spot? If so, is it owned by the same person?

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frankcauldhame1 t1_iwsx83t wrote

i think it's at the old black and white market, further north

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n0m_chompsky OP t1_iwt0bvh wrote

Yeah Rebelle is 2 blocks south of Oak Bakeshop on Camp & Doyle. Completely different owners (though I've learned through this thread that the owners of Oak also own PVDonuts)!

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wearTheDamnMask_137 t1_iwubzry wrote

I’m so excited! The rumor was that a donut shop was going in here. Donuts are ok but I think Providence has enough of them. This looks great.

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TheArts t1_iws6ndu wrote

7 Stars Bakery : "Why do I hear boss music?"

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwvhs5n wrote

I really don't think Seven Stars has much to worry about with Oak opening. Especially since they are going to have what looks like a much smaller selection and prices that are equal to or higher than Seven Stars.

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AltruisticBowl4 t1_iwvizgh wrote

The Hope St. Seven Stars is also enough of a walk away to mean that these two will ultimately cater to different foot traffic ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwvmmi5 wrote

I think Little Sister has more to worry about than Seven Stars honestly. So long as they can not be batshit crazy they should be fine lol.

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AltruisticBowl4 t1_iww0cib wrote

True, though Little Sister is only open on weekends now so I feel like they have already taken themselves out of the running!

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwwn9ae wrote

Never been, but after all the stories I have read I don't think I ever will.

Looks like Oak will also have limited hours/days, because no one wants baked goods or coffee after 2pm.

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roshashana t1_iwxjua0 wrote

I find myself wanting pastries as an afternoon snack so much more than a breakfast item. Moved to PVD 1.5 years ago and I'm still adjusting to the fact that no cafes are open in the afternoon! I'll sometimes wake up early, get one on the off chance I might want one later, and then have it later that afternoon/the next day. I miss the days I used to be able to spend my afternoon in a coffee shop reading with a tea and scone!

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwxocug wrote

Seven stars actually has good hours. They are open until 6pm I believe. I do enjoy it that they are open and usually have product in the afternoon/evening.

I can't understand why all these places close so damn early.

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Low-Medical t1_ix55ki5 wrote

Madrid is open until early evening, and they always have tons of pastries until closing! I used to hang in L'Artisan until late (they were open until 9 for a while, now it's 8 I think), but I haven't gone much since hearing rumors here on Reddit that they have some cleanliness issues.

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AltruisticBowl4 t1_ixe1oza wrote

Second this! I am always shocked by how few places I can find a pastry or even a good sandwich after 3-4pm around here! Let alone coffee at 7pm (easy where I used to live in Brooklyn) 🥲

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AltruisticBowl4 t1_ixe1vam wrote

TBH I have not really followed any of the intel on Little Sister besides people alluding to something suss in this reddit—is there a summary somewhere? I went there once for brunch and had an ok time but nothing to write home about + don't know anything about the mgmt!

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Silentjosh37 t1_ixf7muf wrote

There is an handful of threads about the owner being abrupt to a point of rude with customers, doxxed people that left bad reviews, a lot of stories from former employees about Little Sister and Rebelle, blaming everything but the shortcomings of the stores and just general questionable behaviour. Worth a read.

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whatsaphoto t1_iwuyl5g wrote

If they can undercut their prices which unfortunately is an easy feat, I'm in.

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downpat t1_iws5ahr wrote

RIP Black & White

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downpat t1_iwt62d9 wrote

Also can’t help but notice the serious gentrification happening on Camp St. One of the city’s few largely Black neighborhoods getting filled up with “progressive” businesses and entities, like the bakery, the poke restaurant, the socialist bookstore—all of whom I’m sure will tell you how terrible gentrification is, and how important it is for that area to maintain its historical identity as a Black enclave.

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themaskedewok t1_iwt8zw1 wrote

I work right in that area and have obviously noticed the gentrification over the last ~5 years. Rebel was a corner store, black and white was and is now this, there was a convenience store at the bottom.of Pleasant by Providence bagel that is gone. The multi-family homes are being renovated and sold as apartments or condos.

I also have witnessed less fights in the streets, less what appears to be drug traffic and there have been less shootings. People where being killed less than half a mile from million dollar homes. Do you think they'd buy a house for that much and not pressure for change in the area?

Also, is it really one of the city's only largely black neighborhoods? This is not a combative question, but an honest one.

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downpat t1_iwtaczt wrote

Pretty sure the “Black” neighborhoods of Providence consist only of South Providence and this part of Mt. Hope, what used to be called Lippitt Hill. Basing that only on my own experience and no demographic studies or anything, though. Either way - I’m certainly not saying the gentrification is a bad thing. I too have noticed its improvements. But this conversation should be happening. And my point was more that the kinds of businesses popping up in the area now would very likely tell you that gentrification is racist and wrong.

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themaskedewok t1_iwtbxkv wrote

It's funny because when you said "black" neighborhoods in your original comment, I thought of south prov after the east side area. The area between eddy, broad and south of the hospital. Which, let's be honest, is rough.

I agree this conversation needs to happen. I want to understand why you say it is racist. Is it because these new businesses charge more and that prices generational locals out of the area? And by doing that you are forcing people out of the area without explicitly making them leave? And if that is the assertion isn't that more classist than racist? Or is it racist because there neighborhoods are specifically targeted for this kind of thing?

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JoeFortune1 t1_iww1awn wrote

Class and race are tied together. This is how gentrification works. Businesses open without racist intentions but there are racial implications. The way our economy works, property values based on your neighbors value etc, when a neighborhood “improves” it becomes unlivable for people who can’t afford it and that tends to be a certain ethnicity being forced to relocate. From what I am told, Benefit street used to be a largely black neighborhood as well

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FunLife64 t1_iwullm5 wrote

This is a bit extreme. This is a Jewish bakery in an area with a huge Jewish population and literally walking distance to a synagogue, Jewish school, Jewish community center, etc.

No race, religion or ethnicity has stake on neighborhoods.

This area has always butted up against a very expensive part of PVD and one of the cheapest East Side areas. And there’s been lots of expensive/nice houses within this neighborhood for years. This has had the writing on the wall for quite some time for development.

The push here should be around home ownership - I actually find RI to offer some pretty good programs with options. Of course, right now isn’t a great time for anyone. From 2008-2015ish the area had a lot of cheap condos, townhouses, houses. Those that own will make a lot of money off those progressives.

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downpat t1_iwuz2ut wrote

Again, not saying this is a bad thing, it’s just something that should be openly discussed. I do think you’re sort of contradicting yourself by simultaneously saying no identity can have a stake in a neighborhood but oh wait this is a Jewish bakery in a heavily-Jewish area. Many would say, okay, then you’re saying that this is a Jewish neighborhood. It’s a distinction without a difference. And many, including myself, would disagree with you that identities can’t have a “stake” in a neighborhood. That’s aspirational and ahistoric. Blacks have a stake in Harlem, the Irish have a stake in South Boston, Jews in Brooklyn - that’s just history.

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FunLife64 t1_iwwiene wrote

I’m simply saying there’s no need to call out why something should or shouldn’t be in a neighborhood. If a business opens in an area and can thrive (and the demographics point to a Jewish bakery doing well there), then good for them. If that b&w market was thriving, it probably would still be there.

Not every business relies on populations within 5 blocks to be its customers. It could be there’s actually vacant spaces to rent (which there aren’t many in, say, Hope Village).

Just labeling new business as gentrifiers and progressives contradicting themselves isn’t a helpful start to any conversation…..

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downpat t1_iwxv7xl wrote

This place, with an “executive pastry chef,” replacing an arguably-sketchy bodega across from a public park named for a prominent member of the Black community (https://www.billytaylorhouse.com/billy-taylor-bio), in a historically Black neighborhood of Providence, is a peak example of gentrification. Don’t be ridiculous!

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FunLife64 t1_iwzqgif wrote

Why did the bodega close?

Im not arguing about whether something is defined as “gentrification”, but my god the east side is known as the fanciest area of Providence. To be shocked that things like a bakery would open in that neighborhood is kinda absurd. You can throw a tennis ball to near $1M houses….that have been that expensive for years.

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close102 t1_iwvuoqe wrote

Referring to Red Ink Community Library as “the socialist bookstore” really undercuts any hint of valid criticism you have in commenting on gentrification.

The poke shop is owned by an Asian woman. The library team has an Indian man on it and has many cross cultural and community events. The bakeshop is partly owned by a Jewish woman.

Is the area being gentrified? Yes. Is it white “progressive” capitalists? Not entirely, and in none of the examples you provided.

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wafflesandgin t1_iww0cv9 wrote

It's a valid description. Red Ink openly markets as a political, socialist leaning space. It's not a library you take your kids to to borrow children's books.

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close102 t1_iwzlzem wrote

It’s an oversimplification used to polarize it as “bad” rather than understanding the context in which the space exists and operates.

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wafflesandgin t1_ix0avkp wrote

I think the only one here viewing the word socialist as "bad" is yourself.

For someone talking about needing to understand context, I think you should do the same.

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downpat t1_iwwdlua wrote

Where in my comment did I refer to any of these new groups as “white”?

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close102 t1_iwzmbxv wrote

“One of the city’s few largely Black neighborhoods getting filled up with “progressive” businesses and entities”

Your intention in this is clear.

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downpat t1_iwzvqug wrote

Typical far-left thought policing; you’re also just wrong. I guess I’ll just rest with the community that’s chosen to downvote you so we don’t hear more of this nonsense.

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downpat t1_iwwnml3 wrote

Let me add as a coda to this thread that I’m excited to try this place, it looks great. I’ll probably go this weekend. And there are few things LESS black and white than a discussion about gentrification…

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littylikeatit t1_iwrmvjj wrote

I’ll def check it out but I’m surprised it opened there with Starbucks, Rebelle, and seven stars so close by. A lot of competition.

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thetook t1_iwrotk9 wrote

That Starbucks is always packed plus fuck Starbucks, sure Rebelle is close its also open 3 days a week in the morning and does breakfast, Seven Stars is closeish but there's always room for more.

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littylikeatit t1_iwrsnew wrote

I’m not opposed to a new place! But competition is a very real thing and brand loyalty is strong with Starbucks. You may hate it but some people are oddly obsessed

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Thac0 t1_iws2uka wrote

Not the exactly the same clientele I’m sure. PVD is great at supporting local small businesses. I’m sure everyone will turn out for them

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thetook t1_iwt2btg wrote

People are open to drink their union busting artificial sugar cotton candy burnt coffee all they want.

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Guy_1989 t1_iwskvih wrote

Can anything top Madrid though?

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Ukie3 t1_iwusasm wrote

Any place where you don't have to pay $10 for a croissant.

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Locksmith-Pitiful t1_iwunrim wrote

Place is stupidly expensive, more than most shops on Hope. I literally gasped at the prices. Very sad it took over the cheap corner store. Fuck gentrification.

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwveb3m wrote

Do you expect anything less from the PVDonuts folks?

Mind you I do not mind paying for quality, I will gladly throw down $4 for the Kouign-amann at Seven Stars. Or the Macaroons at Madrid, but I for see the quality of Oak going the way of PVDonuts, where it drops off after the initial hype and they start having to actually produce product. I know the donut shop has had a big problem with staff over the years.

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wafflesandgin t1_iwvfx4p wrote

Oak already posted about needing to hire more staff. If the quality does drop you can't really justify the high pricing.

PVDonuts was never good quality IMO. They got by on novelty more than anything else.

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwvied9 wrote

I completely agree. It was all about a manufactured line and hype that you could get a rice krispee treat on a donut... oh my how novel lol.

Looks like their prices are really high already. $22 for a Babka, like 7 or 8 bucks for a sticky bun and that is just what I could read on the pic. I know people are gonna throw in well Seven Stars is pricy too, and yes I agree, but their quality is there and it is always consistent.

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Locksmith-Pitiful t1_iwxdx4t wrote

What's up with the staff turnover? Any reason why you might think? Are they getting paid shit or treated poorly?

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwxhrka wrote

I had heard stories, again with a grain of salt, that the hours sucked, couldn't get full 40 hour week and pay was not all it was cracked up to be, management wasn't very helpful etc all the highlights.

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is_missing t1_iwuxh7t wrote

yeaaaaa i figured this would be the case. bummer. i really liked having that convenience store right there.

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gradontripp t1_iwrmb22 wrote

Drove by late, late last night, and it looks great! Will definitely check it out this weekend.

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Ndom717 t1_iwsg9s7 wrote

They have a cool spot in Bristol too.

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwvinsk wrote

I don't know that they are related in anyway. This is the 2nd shop from the owners of PVDonuts. I could be wrong though.

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Ndom717 t1_iwvk1cn wrote

I should have been more specific! I was referring to Borealis having another cafe location.

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwvmqyw wrote

OHH!!! Yeah that makes more sense lol. I was very glad to have Borealis open in the East Bay for sure!

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wafflesandgin t1_iwuiayn wrote

This is gonna be an unpopular opinion, but when I first heard about this being a jewish-ish bakery, I was hoping for an old school neighborhood corner spot vibe. (Was also excited for the idea of bagels but they're not making them - just the long Jerusalem style ones)

I don't have the right words but the millenial type styling and merchandise wall seems tone deaf to the neighborhood. u/downpat was more eloquent about the discussion regarding gentrification.

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whatsaphoto t1_iwuzi4f wrote

I get what you're saying but I think this is just kind of "The style" now. Minimalist, bright, airy, white brick/exposed beams and duct work with wood accents, tall ceilings - it's just kind of the go-to styling throughout the US now. It's an easy way to justify tacking on an easy 15% to your costs as well.

I loved and continue to love any bakery that looks like it's been there for generations with little attention to decor (that to me signals you give way more of a shit about the quality of your product than anything else because your mind is focused on the right things first and foremost. Shout out to Bellas off Wompanoag in Riverside. Got a meatball sando that'll rock your soul), but I'll also admit I enjoy the experience of sitting down with a cup of coffee and a pastry in a spot that doesn't dark or claustrophobic.

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Snoo-15186 t1_iwusy1g wrote

Also, can we have a Jewish Delicatessen? Anybody?

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AltruisticBowl4 t1_iwvjt71 wrote

I've literally been saying for YEAAARRSSS that anyone who opens one will make so much money because of all the transplants + college students here. I know people talk about Bubbie's but I don't feel like they really exemplify the full Jewish deli vibe—I'm talking RRuss and Daughters / S&P "appetizing" style counter service, matzoh ball soup, matzoh brei, chopped liver, pickled herring, etc.

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AltruisticBowl4 t1_ixe34lp wrote

As a brand & signage designer... I am begging businesses in Providence to hire me so I can do something more interesting and nuanced than more millennial pink 😇

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AltruisticBowl4 t1_iwvj9pp wrote

I'm really excited about Oak but as a NY transplant, I feel like calling it a "Jew-ish" bakery seems off when it seems more like "Israeli-ish"—they don't have a lot of the typical Ashkenazi pastries I would associate with a classic Jewish bakery on the East coast.

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N8710 t1_iwrwvs6 wrote

Do you by chance know what kind of coffee beans they use? Hoping it’s a local roaster

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n0m_chompsky OP t1_iwrytzl wrote

I actually happened to take a picture of some of the goods for sale on the shelf, including their house blend!

https://i.imgur.com/xcEtNHz.jpg

If you can't make out the text it says:

Whole bean
Countries: Indonesia & Colombia
Roast: Medium-Dark Roast
Processed: Washed
Tastes Like: Dark Chocolate, Walnut, Molasses
Roasted by Borealis Coffee Company

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N8710 t1_iwrz1qp wrote

I see house blend, not house roast. But still a step in the right direction! Looking forward to checking it out

Borealis is great, so I have high hopes 👌🏼

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n0m_chompsky OP t1_iwrzprd wrote

Haha yeah sorry, mistyped at first. I'll admit I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to coffee! But yes hopefully a good sign that the house blend is roasted by a local company :)

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N8710 t1_iwrzxcy wrote

Yeah borealis is good shit, check them out if you’re ever heading south.

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n0m_chompsky OP t1_iws16uf wrote

Oh huh, didn't realize they're the coffee shop that's right on the East Bay bike path. Maybe I'll pop over there before work sometime and bike some beans home. Thanks for the rec!

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Phil_is_Legend t1_iwsd5re wrote

Their overnight blend makes an amazing cold brew.

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RoyalOilRoy t1_iwsx5ve wrote

Agreed. Also, shop makes the best espresso drinks around. Cortado is unreal

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close102 t1_iwzmgwd wrote

Borealis, Nitro Bar, and someone else I believe. All local to some extent

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Ojaivalley t1_iwsnbbf wrote

Went yesterday morning for their soft opening. The peanut butter and jelly cookie is absolutely amazing and worth a try!

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craftyxena73 t1_iwrmcdu wrote

I drove by and was wondering about this place. Will check it out tomorrow.

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llama_sweater t1_iwuoknh wrote

Someone from work brought an assortment in this morning. The cinnamon rolls are legit.

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Alarmed_Nebula3917 t1_ix3cfgs wrote

No one go here, I tried this place out and there was live spiders in my pastry

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BeeSlight2332 t1_iwt5urj wrote

Oh my gosh we just moved in right down the street and we’re wondering when you’d open! So excited. May have to visit often :)

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n0m_chompsky OP t1_iwujqj0 wrote

I'm not the owner nor affiliated with the business in any way! But I also live nearby, so howdy neighbor and welcome to the neighborhood!

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Thac0 t1_iwryjc8 wrote

I knew the original owners of PVDonuts were opening a new place and have been excited for this. The Donut quality has gone down hill since it changed hands and well, Jew”ish” baked goods are more my jam anyway. Super stoked to cram my face with fresh baked goodness

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Jumpy_Ring8409 t1_iws6api wrote

The original owners of PVDonuts are still the original owners…it has never “changed hands”

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Thac0 t1_iwserw7 wrote

Ah, well I was misinformed, thanks. Someone told me that and I had also remembered the Reddit post about it so coupled with the experience of the donuts tasting less magical the last few times I’ve stopped by I assumed it was truth.

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FunLife64 t1_iwsm4aw wrote

They’ve always been more “for show” and “let us plop something on top and call it a fancy name”.

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwvdgra wrote

I agree with this completely. They were "better" a while ago but they were never as great as people seemed to think they were.

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Low-Medical t1_iwvzz4r wrote

They've definitely never been worth lining up around the block for. Like...what are you doing with your lives, people?!

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FunLife64 t1_iwwhzas wrote

The dumb thing about this is that it wasn’t a large number of people - their service was just slow AF. If you were 10th in line it would legit take 20 minutes to be helped. They finally have quasi embraced preorder so the line is less of a thing.

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwwn5r0 wrote

This. Not to mention they create a huge mess around the shop. From the people that go there that don't know how to park/don't park in a crosswalk to the amount of garbage left around the shop itself as they refuse to provide a garbage can. When they do a donut/donut hole with one of those pipettes they are littered around up and down Wickenden and Ives. They also refuse to clear the sidewalks during snowstorms except for a small spot in front of their door.

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Silentjosh37 t1_iwvdbbt wrote

Ownership is the same, but the quality is very much different. The quality has gone down, everything tastes greasy and just overloaded with too much sweetness. They are all about flash and less about the quality.

The whole reason they said they were running out/limited quantities in a day was to keep the quality up, this obviously has gone out the window. I see less and less people going there.

Knead is the way to go, this is just my opinion and your mileage may vary!

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