March 12, 2019

Sweet LaLa’s Bakery to Open in Regalia

The Commercial Appeal

By Jennifer Chandler

Sweet LaLa’s Bakery is opening a retail bakery and cafe in Regalia Center on March 22. The bakery and cafe will be in the former Lori James spot at 6150 Poplar Ave., Suite 118.

Lauren Young, Sweet LaLa’s founder and owner, decided it was time to add a retail component to her 17-year-old business.

“I started Sweet LaLa’s out of my home kitchen back in 2001,” Young said. In 2014, she formed a partnership with JIFF, a juvenile intervention facility in Downtown Memphis, to expand the business while helping the community. For the past four years Sweet LaLa’s has baked its cookies out of JIFF’s kitchen, employing JIFF students.

Her new bakery will continue her mission of making a difference. Embracing the theme “make life sweeter,” she will highlight philanthropic food ventures like Thistle & Bee and Shepherd’s Haven pottery. She will also carry locally and regionally-made sweet treats by various food artisans.

The retail space at Regalia Center is close to 3,000 square feet and includes an upstairs special event space. The bakery, retail space and cafe will be on the ground floor. The bakery will offer her signature cookies, plus other baked goods, soft serve ice cream, a coffee bar and light breakfast items.