In a full-circle moment, lauded Arab bakery Reems returning to Oakland this fall

Reem Assil will reopen her bakery, Reem's, in Oakland's Jack London Square this fall, marking a return after five years in San Francisco. The new 3,000-square-foot flagship space will expand production capacity and allow customers to watch employees bake through large windows. Assil plans to adopt a worker-owned model, emphasizing the importance of building generational wealth and sustainability for her staff. She collaborates with grassroots organizations, including the Sustainable Economies Law Center, to create a just economic system. The menu will feature popular items like saj flatbread wraps and the cult-favorite halawa cookie.

Assil aims to create a community-driven enterprise that uplifts workers and fosters local investment through a WeFunder campaign. She expresses enthusiasm about reconnecting with the community that supported her journey. This flagship location represents a significant step in Assil's vision of transforming the bakery industry for good.