Introduction to Del Sur Bakery
LINCOLN SQUARE — The owner of a beloved pop-up bakery is opening his first storefront to the public after months of renovations. Justin Lerias has run popular pop-ups in Lincoln Square under the Del Sur name for the past two years. He’s known for merging flavors from his Filipino heritage, like ube and longganisa, with pastries that would be considered Midwestern comfort food.
The Concept Behind Del Sur Bakery
“The motto of our pastries is, ‘Filipino flavors with Midwestern flair,’” Lerias said. For months, Lerias has been renovating the former Brew Camp at 4639 N. Damen Ave., which closed in 2017, into his first storefront. The bakery will have a grand opening celebration 8 a.m.-3 p.m. March 29.
The Road to Opening
“The space is finally settling into itself, feeling more like home each day. After years of dreaming and many months of hard work and careful preparation, we are beyond grateful to announce that we’re officially opening our doors,” Lerias said.
The interior of Del Sur Bakery. Credit: Maria Meade
Lerias partnered with Side Practice Coffee owner Francis Almeda last year to open the storefront.
Journey as a Pop-Up Bakery
“We’ve operated as a pop-up bakery for the past two years. And it just got to a point where I was baking 500 pastries every weekend at my own apartment. That was a very good indicator that we would have a bright future if we opened up a brick-and-mortar place,” Lerias previously said. Lerias initially wanted to open in the fall, but renovations took longer than expected. He also launched a crowdfunding campaign in January via Honeycomb Credit to help cover the cost of equipment.
Community Support
The fundraiser hit its initial $40,000 goal in less than a day, Lerias said.
Justin Lerias is opening Del Sur bakery at 4639 N. Damen Ave. in Lincoln Square. Credit: Maria Meade
Bringing Filipino Flavors to the Midwest
“I grew up in the Philippines, and then I moved here to the Midwest at a very young age. I feel like my values are pretty Midwestern, with a little Filipino taste,” Lerias said. Chicago is a Midwestern hub for Filipino immigrants, and Lerias’ new storefront is the latest in a recent string of new restaurants highlighting cuisine from the Philippines — like the recently opened Kanin in Ravenswood.
Conclusion
Del Sur Bakery is set to bring a unique blend of Filipino flavors and Midwestern comfort food to the Lincoln Square neighborhood. With its grand opening celebration on March 29, the community is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to taste the delicious pastries and support local business.
FAQs
- Q: When is the grand opening of Del Sur Bakery?
A: The grand opening celebration of Del Sur Bakery is on March 29, from 8 a.m. to 3 p
