Reem’s California, the acclaimed Arab‑California bakery and restaurant, is heading back to Oakland’s waterfront. The Mission‑based operation is set to open a new bakery and small cafe at Jack London Square next Friday, marking a return to the East Bay after closing its San Francisco outpost and spending several years away from Oakland.
A news release announcing the June 26 opening describes the new spot as a 3,000‑square‑foot cafe and production bakery taking over the former Timeless Coffee space in Jack London Square, as reported by KRON4. In the materials, the site is framed as a flagship bakery and commissary that will power both the brand’s retail locations and its wholesale lines.
The site at 85 Webster Street, last occupied by Timeless Coffee, will mostly operate as a production hub with a small front‑of‑house counter serving mana’eesh, dips and coffee, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The Chronicle notes that this kitchen will help supply Reem’s Mission restaurant, along with its packaged wholesale items that are sold around the Bay.
Reem’s Returns To Its Oakland Roots
Chef‑owner Reem Assil and co‑founder Zaynah Hindi remain at the helm of the operation, according to the company’s investor materials. Wefunder lists Assil and Hindi on the leadership team, and local coverage traces the Reem’s story back to a Fruitvale storefront that opened in 2017. A homecoming for the Oakland‑born brand is how one outlet previously summed up the Jack London return.
Can Reem’s Help Revive The Waterfront?
The timing is notable. Jack London Square is still wrestling with a wave of tenant turnover and lighter foot traffic, with recent departures including Left Bank Brasserie, Forge Pizza and Ginza Sushi, among others. KTVU reports that operators in the district have cited rising costs and declining customer numbers for the closures. In the opening announcement, co‑founder Zaynah Hindi called the Oakland move a homecoming in every sense of the word, signaling that the team clearly hopes to be part of a broader neighborhood reset.
What The Space Will Do
Most of the 3,000‑square‑foot footprint is slated for production, a commissary where bakers will mix dough and bake flatbreads for both the cafe counter and wholesale distribution, the SF Chronicle reports. The paper also notes that the Oakland bakery is expected to open as a worker‑owned enterprise and is intended to anchor the company’s plans to scale its retail presence and packaged offerings across the region.
Reem’s website currently lists the Jack London Square location as “coming soon,” and the company is running a community investment campaign as it finishes build‑out. Reem’s California and its Wefunder page are offering sign‑ups and updates for customers and supporters ahead of the June 26 opening.
