A longtime staple of San Diego’s Asian bakery scene is closing its doors. The 85°C Bakery Café in Balboa Mesa will serve its final customers on December 19, ending more than a decade in the neighborhood.
The Taiwanese-based chain, which has a global following, first arrived in San Diego in 2014. It quickly became a sensation, known for generating long queues of customers eager to buy its take-out cakes, freshly baked breads, pastries, and signature Sea Salt coffee.
Success of 85°C Bakery Café in San Diego
The bakery’s early success paved the way for a regional expansion in 2016, adding new locations in Mira Mesa and National City.
But in recent months, customers at the original Balboa Mesa shop began noticing signs of trouble. Shelves were often nearly empty, hours were sharply reduced, and the once-steady bustle had all but disappeared.
Reasons for Closure Are Still Unclear
The exact reasons for the closure remain unconfirmed. While one customer was simply told the location was shutting down permanently, others reported that employees cited sharp increases in rent from the Balboa Mesa Shopping Center as the primary factor.
Despite the closure of this, the 85°C Bakery Café chain is not exiting the San Diego market. Its other locations in University Town Center, Mira Mesa, National City, and Oceanside will continue to operate as usual.
A notice posted at the Balboa Avenue store confirms the December 19th closure date and expresses the staff’s gratitude to the community for over a decade of support.
85°C Bakery Cafe is located at 5575 Balboa Avenue, Suite 330, in Clairemont San Diego. More information is available on their website: 85cbakerycafe.com.
With information from SanDiegoVille.com
