A Houston dessert shop that built its reputation on scratch-made allergy-friendly sweets is closing its doors for good. After seven years in the Shops at Sawyer Yards, Awesome Bites Co. is shutting down. Wednesday, owner Jennifer Thai told fans on social media that the bakery’s final day at 2313 Edwards St. will be Sunday, Sept. 27.
But Awesome Bites won’t be gone for good.
“I have heard what our place means to so many in this community, and I know what it means to me, my family, and my team. It’s not what my heart wants to do, but after a lot of trying, pivoting, hoping and holding on, I’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to close the Awesome Bites storefront at the end of September,” Thai’s social media statement read.
“But this isn’t necessarily goodbye to Awesome Bites. It is goodbye to this version of it. There’s a lot more I want to share about how we got here, what the next few weeks will look like, and what I hope might come next.”
Many in Houston were saddened to hear about Awesome Bites’ closure. Some in the comments said they would visit every weekend until the shop’s last day.
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear this! You had an amazing shop and fantastic recipes! I hope that it will be just better and bigger things for you in the future,” one person wrote.
“I’m not sure how we are going to break this news to our kids. This is the only place my daughter can go and order something. My husband and I have both cried today knowing how much it’s going to break her heart! We drive two hours to come to y’all and it’s always such a joy!!!” another person said.
Thai operated Awesome Bites as a farmers market pop-up before she opened the brick-and-mortar in 2019. The plant-based and vegan menu is completely free of dairy, egg, soy, peanuts and tree nuts—practically a godsend for anyone who has mild to severe allergic reactions to those ingredients.
“We launched Awesome Bites when I couldn’t find safe healthy foods that my daughter, who had food allergies, would actually want to eat. At Awesome Bites, we’re beyond allergy friendly or healthy. We are focused on inclusion and pioneering, one-of-a-kind clean treats that everyone – with or without food allergies – can eat together worry-free,” Thai previously said ahead of the storefront’s opening.
Chron has reached out to Thai for more details on the storefront’s closure and what may be next for her bakery. We will update this story if and when we hear back.