By Joel Magalnick, JTNews Correspondent
Jewish bakery Sweet Lorraine’s will serve its last rugelach on Feb. 1. The building at 3055 21st Ave. W in Magnolia that housed both the storefront and production area was sold this month. The new landlord has raised the rent by approximately 60 percent, according to owner Trudi Kahn-White.
Kahn-White said she was given notice only a few days ago, and the increase is not something her small business can afford. At this point, she says she isn’t sure what she will do.
“I don’t have enough money to build another space,” Kahn-White said. “I’m talking with some customers who are developers who have spaces.”
She said she will most likely be unable to continue the retail business that had garnered her a community of loyal customers. Reopening as wholesale-only is an option, Kahn-White said, though not she would not be able to take all of the equipment with her if she does move.
“It would be a big effort,” she said, adding that the landlord owns the ovens and some of the larger baking equipment. She said finding a job is also not out of the question.
Sweet Lorraine’s has only been open since September 2002. Kahn-White, who has lived in Seattle for 17 years, went to Detroit to study with baker Benny Moskowitz and returned with recipes for rye bread and rugelach, which in December the Seattle Times called “among the best you’ll ever taste.”
That the building was even for sale came as a surprise to Kahn-White, though she said she understands the owner’s reasons.
“There’s no blame to be had,” she said. “It’s just business.”
Sweet Lorraine’s will remain open until Feb. 1, and have a closing party then.
“Girls in a B’nai Mitzvah group from my congregation are going to come to learn how to make bialys,” she said. Kahn-White attends Congregation Eitz Or.
Kahn-White said she hopes for a miracle, but right now her future is unclear.
“I have experience in biotech, but I’d love to continue baking,” she said. “I love baking.”