Santa Monica’s stretch of Wilshire Blvd is getting a new neighbor that is about more than just carbs. Louma Bakery, a nonprofit outfit built around artisan breads and supportive employment, is gearing up to open at 3223 Wilshire Blvd, turning a corner storefront into a production hub for loaves and pastries with a social mission baked in.
The space is currently being built out, and Louma is already recruiting its first team while the production kitchen comes together. The owners have not set a firm opening date yet, so for now it is all anticipation and hiring notices.
Official Notice and Early Announcement
The bakery has quietly planted its flag online. An “Opening Soon” banner on its site lists 3223 Wilshire Blvd as the future home base, according to Louma Bakery. As reported by Santa Monica Mirror, Louma announced its arrival on Instagram on January 30 and used its early job posts to hint at what will be coming out of the ovens.
What They’ll Bake
Those job listings for roles like Head Baker and production bakers do more than just spell out pay ranges and benefits for full-time staff. They also sketch the menu: sourdough loaves, baguettes, rye and a lineup of classic Danish- and French-style pastries. Seasonal grab-and-go items are slated to round things out, all described as being made with organic, locally sourced ingredients.
Listings on Indeed and aggregator sites such as Jooble show that hiring is in full swing while the kitchen is still in build-out mode.
Inclusive Hiring and Nonprofit Mission
Behind the bakery brand is a nonprofit structure. Trademark filings and public records list The Louma Initiative as the entity behind the Louma Bakery name. Per trademark records, The Louma Initiative is the registered owner of the mark.
Santa Monica Mirror reported that the bakery is structured to create paid work opportunities for people with learning and developmental differences. Leadership told the paper the workplace will emphasize “patience, respect and collaboration,” suggesting that the culture inside may be as carefully crafted as the sourdough outside.
Where It Fits on Wilshire
Louma is sliding into a Wilshire corridor that has quietly become a magnet for cafés and bakeries, continuing a steady trend on the Westside. A neighborhood blog recently spotted the signage and active storefront work at 3223 Wilshire, according to Toddrickallen.
With construction still underway and no public opening date posted yet, Louma appears to be timing its debut around hiring and staff training. For now, Wilshire passersby can only watch the build-out and wait for the first whiff of fresh bread to hit the sidewalk.
