After six successful years of satisfying Chicagoans’ sweet cravings with decadent cupcakes, cookies, and custom cakes, Jennivee’s Bakery is set for a significant expansion. The beloved late-night bakery, known for its indulgent treats and welcoming LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere, is opening a second location in Lakeview.
Owner Jenni Vee, a trans-Filipina baker, will open Jennivee’s Bakery & Cafe on Saturday, June 28, at 2925 N. Halsted Street. This rainbow-themed grand opening coincides with the end of Pride Month, highlighting the bakery’s strong connection to the LGBTQ community. Vee spent over a year searching for the perfect location and preparing to unveil the new cafe. She envisions it as a community hub where locals can enjoy Sparrow coffee, baked goods, breakfast, brunch, and gelato.
The original Jennivee’s Bakery, which opened in 2017 at Sheffield and Aldine in Lakeview, introduced Chicago to a variety of Filipino flavors, including ube, well before the current Filipino baking trend took off in the city. Initially, many customers were unfamiliar with these ingredients and baking traditions, but Jennivee’s quickly converted them with unique creations like ube-chiffon purple velvet cake with coconut and ube mousse, and banana-based turon cake with jackfruit jam filling and cream cheese frosting.
Jennivee’s distinguished itself in the competitive bakery market by operating in the afternoon and evening, catering to late-night dessert lovers. Although the original location initially stayed open until 2 a.m., it now closes at 11 p.m. The bakery remains busy year-round, with an especially high demand during Pride Month when fans flock for Vee’s rainbow cupcakes dusted with edible glitter and trans pride cupcakes topped with pink, white, and blue buttercream.
In 2023, Vee emphasized the importance of her visibility as a transgender business owner, especially amid ongoing social and legislative challenges faced by the LGBTQ community.
Stay tuned for more updates on the opening of the new Jennivee’s Bakery & Cafe.