Bakesale Betty's Uptown Oakland Location Is No More

After just over two years in business, Bakesale Betty has closed its second outpost in Uptown Oakland. A surprising move for a popular daytime pit stop that fit right into the gourmet ghetto created by Pican, Luka's Taproom, Hawker Fare, Ike's Lair, Plum and more. Owners Alison Barakat and Michael Camp tell Diablo Dish they had spread themselves too thin:

"We want to go back to being just a single mom & pop store, because that's really what we are, and we had lost the spirit of what Bakesale Betty was all about... It was a hard decision, and we hate to disappoint people, but I think it's better in the long run—we didn't want to jump the shark."

Looking back, the first hints this might happen surfaced last year when Barakat and Camp cut back on hours at both of their locations. Instead of hiring up with competent workers to scale their business and meet demand, the pair are currently looking for someone to take over the lease.

But fans shouldn't worry too much, the original Bakesale Betty is still manly as ever over at the Temescal location (5098 Telegraph Avenue), dishing out the nationally famous fried chicken sandwich, cookies, pies, lemonade and more. The plan is to tack on an hour to their operations, staying open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with chicken pot pie and apple pie making a comeback this fall.

· All Bakesale Betty Coverage [~ ESF ~]
· Diablo Dish [Diablo Mag]