Enter New to the Mix, Federal Realty’s brand new series where we’ll be sharing highlights on all of the fun and fresh tenants at various Federal Realty locations. We’ll start with a Pike & Rose doubleheader, featuring Sunday Morning Bakehouse, which blends the warmth of a weekend morning with premium ingredients, and Bark Social, the East Coast’s premier dog bar. These unique spots have quickly become regional magnets, and it’s not hard to understand why.
When you step inside of Sunday Morning Bakehouse, you’ll find not just delectable baked treats, but the heartwarming success story of owner Caroline Yi. Throwing herself into a major career shift, Yi left the world of marketing in New York City, moved back home to the Washington DC metro area, and jumped into learning everything she possibly could about baking.
The name is an ode to her tight-knit family who always makes time for Sunday breakfast together. The bakery shop is a family affair, with Yi’s sister helping to run the business, her mother who lent her recipes, and her father, the head taste-tester. Yi opened Sunday Morning Bakehouse at Pike & Rose in 2019 — just five months before the pandemic hit. Luckily, she was able to stay in operation throughout lockdown and her business is still thriving today thanks to an extremely loyal customer base.
We’re delighted that this family-owned business, still in its infancy, stood up to the health crisis and came out on top. Everyone from travelers staying at the Canopy by Hilton looking for a quick breakfast bite to office tenants looking for a fresh slice of blueberry coffee cake as an afternoon pick-me-up contributes to the bakery’s success.
The atmosphere and decor of the setting is exceptionally welcoming, as you feel at home with a comforting Sunday morning feeling, unlike common cafes and coffee shops. We can’t wait to see what’s next for Sunday Morning Bakehouse.
Just down the road, you’ll find Bark Social, a quirky and unique “social club for dogs” and the first of its kind on the eastern seaboard, meeting the popular demand for this type of tenant.
Recently featured in The Washingtonian, Bark Social is one-part bar, one-part dog park, totaling up to a ton of fun for dog owners and their four-legged best friends. This dog social club is the first of its kind and makes it easy for people to swing by, grab a drink, and let their dog play while socializing with like-minded individuals. There’s no wonder why Bark Social has such a huge regional draw and community following. From dog birthday parties to puppy playdates, Bark Social hosts events, offers memberships and day passes, and for some, even functions as a great co-working space.
In an area where it seems like just about everyone has a four-legged companion, providing space for a tenant like Bark Social at Pike & Rose felt important — if not essential. This specialty leasing concept is the only thing like it in the area, which makes it a must-visit destination for dog owners who love to imbibe, as well as patrons who are always looking for the next interesting spot to visit.
We strive to always stay on the cutting edge of new concepts and are very happy to have tenants that so many people enjoy, like Bark Social and Sunday Morning Bakehouse, as part of our tenants in the mix at Pike & Rose.
Learn more about the tenants at Pike & Rose, and keep an eye out for our next installment of New to the Mix.
