Farmer x Baker relocating from Aspinwall to Sharpsburg
A popular riverside dining experience is leaving Aspinwall.
Farmer x Baker, a shipping container-turned-eatery cafe in Aspinwall Rivertrail Park, is the culinary creation of owner/ baker/chef Jennifer Urich.
But the popular al fresco cafe of six years closed in November. Urich cited ongoing friction with park officials as the reason for her decision to close.
“Unfortunately, operations and disagreements with the park made it too challenging to run a sustainable business,” Urich said.
The shipping container is set to be relocated, but details on the future of the 160-square-foot repurposed box were not provided.
Aspinwall Rivertrail Park did not respond to a request for comment.
In a text message, Urich explained Farmer x Baker will continue to operate as a catering service and wholesale bakery and that the shipping container will be relocated to Sharpsburg in Allegheny Shores, a Mosites Co. development along the Allegheny River that’s been dubbed as “the Sharpsburg Riviera.”
Urich said the container will be utilized for a new culinary program in the development.
“Farmer x Baker is officially closed as a forward-facing restaurant. It’s now only operating as a catering service and wholesale bakery. I have no walk-in location,” Urich said.
She launched a GoFundme to raise funds to finance relocation costs, describing the experience of having to vacate the park as a “huge financial setback and a giant undertaking.”
Farmer x Baker opened in 2019 along the Allegheny River and served made-from-scratch vegan, non-GMO and gluten-free breakfast and lunch foods sourced from organic and local farms. A second location, a market and bakery, opened in the fall of 2021 and closed right before Christmas 2022.
Allegheny Shores is redeveloping 50 acres for commercial, housing and retail use along 1.5 miles of Allegheny River frontage.
Urich expressed her thanks to customers for supporting her cafe during its six years along the Allegheny River.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported Farmer x Baker over the years,” Urich posted on social media. “You are all so appreciated. I poured my heart into this restaurant.”
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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