Textile Magnate Weaves a Kosher Bakery and Cafe Into Boyle Heights

An industrial part of Boyle Heights is set to get a new bakery and cafe in early March. Asher Caffe comes from Asher Shalom, owner of Asher Fabric Concepts, a fabric and textile distributor located across the street from their showroom.

A passion project for Asher, the eatery will be completely kosher. According to project manager Sergio L. Yang, the food will have a heavy European influence. The cafe wants to serve wine and beer, but are still waiting for approval. Yang cites the hold up thanks to Boyle Heights being very strict when dispensing ABC licenses.

While this is Shalom’s first restaurant, he has spent 40 years in the textile business. Shalom opened the fabric showroom in Boyle Heights three years ago. Upon viewing the vacant building across the street, knew a restaurant should be there. The space used to be a physical therapist’s office, and the build-out process for the 30 person cafe commenced in fall 2017.

This area has few food options available, and Yang says the neighborhood has been receptive, “We are pretty remote, and will be the only restaurant in this area. It is exciting to see our local neighbors be excited about our existence.” This news is a welcome one, especially in an era when cafes, gentrification, and Boyle Heights can be synonymous with butting heads.

In a somewhat timely and unrelated note, Asher’s company supplies fabrics for the U.S. Olympic team. Operating hours will be weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Asher Caffe
945 S Boyle Ave
Los Angeles, CA

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