Popular bakery & restaurant to close – Just months after unionizing
Eeva, a bakery in Kensington that serves as a pizzeria in the evenings, announced on Instagram that it will be shutting its doors next week, with its final day being Nov. 5.
The restaurant expressed gratitude on Instagram, stating, “Serving this community has been both a dream and an honor. We’re grateful to our patrons and friends for their unwavering support over these exhilarating yet challenging years, and to our dedicated team.”
This decision comes almost a year after Eeva’s team expressed their desire to form a union. The restaurant’s owners, Greg Dunn, Mark Capriotti, and Mark Corpus, acknowledged the union. The union, represented by Philly’s Local 80, had been in discussions until September. Some comments on the Instagram post hinted at ongoing contract discussions.
Following the announcement of Dunn’s departure, who is renowned as Eeva’s chef and baker, the co-owners deliberated the future of the establishment. Capriotti, in a statement said, “After much thought, considering Greg’s decision, the owners chose to close Eeva.” He further mentioned that the ownership includes Dunn, ReAnimator Coffee, and several investors.
Dunn, who conceptualized eeva in 2018 and secured its location in 2019, reminisced about the journey. He highlighted the restaurant’s achievements, including its recognition among 2021’s top new eateries. Dunn stated, “Transforming Eeva from a mere concept to a thriving all-day dining spot was my dream. This was made possible due to our local suppliers, brilliant partners, and a dedicated team.”
Dunn’s immediate future plans involve spending quality time with loved ones. Both the union and Eeva chose not to comment on the closure.
Employees were informed about the closure on Oct. 16. Eeva and ReAnimator share the premises at 310 Master St. Eeva began its operations in October 2020, taking over the cafe and introducing baking. After Eeva’s closure, ReAnimator will continue its cafe services from Nov. 6. All Eeva baristas have been offered positions at ReAnimator.
The Philadelphia Joint Board, Workers United, mentioned on Instagram that Eeva’s staff is in talks for a severance package. They encouraged supporters to leave a positive review on Eeeva’s Google page, emphasizing the importance of the workers.
