Elm Street has become home to a new Mexican woman-owned bakery, Cleo & Leo, set to open by October.
Owner Gabriela Otero created Cleo & Leo four years ago in her home after working in the baking industry for eight years.
When Otero’s landlord, Jon Davis, reached out to her about renting 300 Elm St. for her bakery, she knew it was an opportunity of a lifetime, she said.
“It’s like a dream come true because I would have never done this without the help that I’m getting,” Otero said. “I feel like this is where I’m supposed to be.”
Alongside Otero, 32, will be her business partner, Madison Luchsinger, a 19-year-old college student at Johnson County Community College. The two met three and a half years ago when they began working together at the Roost.
“I’m so lucky I met Gaby and can join her. Whenever we first started talking about it, our vision was the exact same,” Luchsinger said. “I feel so lucky to have this opportunity that Gaby has given me at my age, and to see her dream come true and for her to share this with me.”
The menu for Cleo & Leo will consist of Mexican baked goods and drinks, such as tres leches cakes, conchas, horchata lattes and more.
Along with coffee, teas and cold brews, the bakery will also provide seasonal items, such as a s’mores latte and pumpkin spice for fall.
“We just really hope that people feel welcome and can stop by to pick up a little cake to celebrate a really special moment in your life, or grab a coffee on the way to drop off the kids before school,” Otero said.
The bakery was named after Otero’s cat and dog, Cleo and Leo.
“My pets names match with our theme so well and I just knew it was the perfect fit,” Otero said. “I wanted them to be a part of this too.”
Hours of operation and the exact opening date are yet to be decided, but Otero said the staff of Cleo & Leo on Elm Street looks forward to serving the Lawrence community. The building is the first on the right on Elm, just north of the Kansas River Bridge.
More information and updates about the bakery can be found on their Instagram page, @cleoandleoonelmst, and website, cleoandleoonelmstreet.com.
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Lane Rozin (he/they), a contributor to The Lawrence Times since January 2024, is a student at the University of Kansas Schools of Journalism and Film. He is a graduate of Pittsburg High School, where he was the multimedia editor for Pitt Media in 2019-21. He is currently the managing editor at the University Daily Kansan and development director at KJHK. See more of his work for the Times here.
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