Bakery and Cuban café closing after 6 years at Optimist Hall. Here’s why

A Charlotte bakery dealing in desserts, pastries and Cuban-inspired sandwiches is closing up shop.

Suárez Bakery & Barra chose not to renew its lease at Optimist Hall, where it’s spent the last six years operating as a bake shop and counter-service restaurant, management said in a message posted to Instagram on Tuesday, June 23.

Its final day of service is Tuesday, June 30. Suárez Bakery’s original Park Road location will remain open.

“This decision was not made lightly, but it is a positive one,” management said, adding that the business would return to its roots and focus solely on baking.

“When we joined Optimist Hall in 2020, it was our first venture beyond the bakery and our first experience operating a restaurant,” they said. “We learned a tremendous amount, served countless guests, and built a team and community that we’re incredibly proud of.”

Touted as a “2.0 concept,” Suárez Bakery & Barra offered pastries and doughnuts alongside a Cuban menu featuring savory sandwiches and bowls, CharlotteFive previously reported.

Cuban coffees were also available, as were light bites like yuca fries and ham and cheese croquettes.

“Returning that focus to our bakery will allow us to continue investing in the baked goods and experience that you know us for,” management wrote on Instagram.

CharlotteFive reached out to Suárez Bakery for more information and was awaiting a response.

Charlotteans wasted no time sending love and well wishes after learning the bakery would say goodbye to Optimist Hall.

A few shared the menu items they would miss the most:

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Location: 1115 N Brevard Street, Stall #4, Charlotte, NC 28206 (closing soon)

Location: 4245 Park Rd, Charlotte, NC 28209

Cuisine: Pastries, sandwiches, coffee and more

Instagram: @suarezbakeryandbarra