SweetArt Too, from plant-based chef Reine Keis, to open in City Foundry this week

Published in Feast Magazine | Emily Standlee | January 22, 2025

Attention, plant-based food lovers! Beloved Shaw fixture SweetArt Bakeshop & Cafe is bringing its magic to a new spot inside City Foundry STL's Midtown food hall. We caught up with chef-owner Reine Keis as she and her team put the final touches on SweetArt Too, or "the baby," as Keis calls it. Artist Valeria was on-site as well, working on the vibrant murals adorning the food stall, which is set to open this week.

At SweetArt Too, Keis says customers can look forward to a bakery case full of vegan treats, featuring favorites from the Shaw location alongside some surprises. The savory menu includes miniature versions of SweetArt's vegan burgers and sandwiches, plus the salads and sides we know and love. "We want people to have access to plant-based food that's affordable," Keis explains. "We're so excited to be the first and only fully plant-based restaurant inside City Foundry." A few savory standouts are the crispy cauliflower bites paired with maple-mustard sauce, the popular kale salad and the Zora Neale Hurston crispy chik’n sandwich topped with Buffalo sauce and house-made ranch dressing. In addition to crafting a rotating selection of vegan baked goods, Keis is known for naming menu items after iconic Black female creatives like Hurston, Maya Angelou and Toni Morrison.

Keis also shared that her team has been adapting to the challenges, despite slight delays in opening SweetArt Too. Launching a new restaurant – or any small business – is no small feat, requiring city permits, licenses and routine inspections. While the process has been daunting, Keis agreed that stepping outside of one’s comfort zone is often a necessary part of growth. "It's been very emotional, but that's a good thing," she says. "We've been in the same building [on 39th Street in Shaw] for so long – but now we're growing."

In December, SweetArt marked 16 years in business, a significant milestone in the face of rising costs of ingredients and supplies. Over the past year, restaurants and small businesses across St. Louis have faced similar hardships. "After year 10, I said [no matter when] I close, I’m a success. And I still feel that way today," Keis said in an Instagram post about the new restaurant. "We open at the Foundry [soon], and we bid farewell to this treasure on 39th Street for a new location come spring. … Pray for our success and the success of every small business."