As Kneaded Bakery has launched a new cafe inside the San Leandro Public Library, expanding its menu and community engagement. The grand opening occurred on February 14, offering seating for 30 indoors and 24 outdoors. Owner Iliana Imberman Berkowitz aims to provide high-quality food options in what she describes as a local food desert.
Iliana Imberman Berkowitz, owner of As Kneaded Bakery, opened the As Kneaded Cafe in the San Leandro Public Library on February 14. The bakery, which Berkowitz launched in 2018, now extends its reach a mile away into the library space, which she discovered during a family visit about a year ago. San Leandro, with a population just under 90,000, typically sees around five new restaurants open annually, according to Berkowitz.
Berkowitz, 37, who lives in San Leandro with her husband and two daughters, described the city as a “food desert” and expressed thrill at creating “another great option for high-quality food in a welcoming, community atmosphere.” She emailed the library director upon spotting the vacant entrance space, submitted a proposal, advanced through rounds, and signed the lease in September. Support came from Hebrew Free Loan, the same nonprofit that provided an interest-free loan for the original bakery.
The cafe partners with Counter Culture Coffee to offer espresso drinks, unlike the bakery's cold brew only. It features expanded seating and a broader menu, including six rotating sandwiches such as turkey with apple, cheddar, and onion jam; Brie with fig jam and spring mix; and a vegan chickpea salad with roasted red peppers. Other items include charcuterie and cheese boards, a “breads and spreads” plate, three salads like kale and grain, and quiche using the bakery's flaky pastry dough.
As Kneaded is known for sourdough breads, including the “miche” with rye flour and long fermentation, a flax and sunflower seed loaf, and honey rye porridge bread. Challah is available Fridays, and babka on Jewish holidays. Berkowitz hopes to introduce Jewish holiday specials at the cafe, collaborating with the library, which celebrates holidays. “By the time the holidays roll around, I would love to figure that out... I’d definitely like to bring a little of myself to this,” she said.
After growing a wholesale business to 80 accounts across the Bay Area, Berkowitz paused it in 2024 to focus on retail and face-to-face interactions. “I craved more face-to-face interactions with people,” she noted. “You don’t know what impact you have on the world.” The cafe, with its own entrance and hours, positions her to serve a wider local audience. “I wanted to do something for my own community,” she added. “This is my library. I just feel very invested in the community here.”