| Unicorn Bake Shop | |
|---|---|
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 The bakery's exterior, 2022 | |
 Interactive map of Unicorn Bake Shop | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | February 29, 2020 (2020-02-29) |
| Closed | February 29, 2024 (2024-02-29) |
| Owner | Carrie Padian |
| Food type | Vegan |
| Location | 2824 Southeast Gladstone Street, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon, 97202, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°29′36″N122°38′13″W / 45.4932°N 122.6369°W /45.4932; -122.6369 |
| Website | unicornbakeshop |
Unicorn Bake Shop was abakery inPortland, Oregon, United States.[1] Carrie Padian opened the storefront insoutheast Portland'sCreston-Kenilworth neighborhood in February 2020, after operating a home kitchen since 2016. The business specialized ingluten-free andvegan baked goods such as cakes, cupcakes, cookies,macarons, and pies, along with drinks including coffee and tea. Unicorn garnered a positive reception and was included in a 2024 list of the 16 best bakeries in the nation for vegan cupcakes byVegNews. The bakery's storefront closed permanently on February 29, 2024, after operating for exactly four years.
The family-friendlybakery Unicorn Bake Shop operated on Gladstone Street insoutheast Portland, Oregon'sCreston-Kenilworth neighborhood.[2] The interior had white walls and a pastelmural by artist Ryan Bubnis that depicted cookies, aroller-skating cupcake, and unicorns.[3][4]The Oregonian andEater Portland described the bakery as "colorful" and "whimsical", respectively.[5][6] The magazinePDX Parent called Unicorn "joyful".[7]
Unicorn operated within themixed-use development known as Jolene's First Cousin, which was built by Guerrilla Development.[8] The business had a subscription service that delivered baked goods to customers.[9]
The menu featuredgluten-free andvegan baked goods. The "unicorn bar" was made of sugar cookie and had frosting and "super-adorable" sprinkles.Macarons included a colorfulsherbet variety and another that was decorated to resemble acheeseburger, while cookies included a "Defund the Police" option with pieces ofAndes Chocolate Mints as well as the vegan "Universal Preschool". Among cupcake varieties were blueberry-waffle, chocolate,Funfetti, lemon,Oreo,[10]red velvet, strawberry, and vanilla.[1][10]
According toEater Portland, Unicorn's desserts like cakes andmousses were not "saccharine sweet" because the owner preferred to use chocolate and salt for balance.[3] Cakes were decorated with cookies, "sparkly" frosting, and unicorn horns. Varieties included Funfetti and strawberry, using variousbuttercream options and fillings such asraspberry jam. "Mini" and full-size cakes were available.[11] Unicorn also offered pies,[9] coffee, and tea.[3]
Unicorn had holiday specials. For the holiday season in late 2021, the bakery offered special varieties, including Egg Nog and Orange Rosemary as well as the gluten-free Frostry and Salted Caramel Apple options. Unicorn also carried almond shortbread dipped in chocolate as well asgingerbread cookie bars.[7] In 2022, the business offeredchocolate brownie bites in the shape ofheart symbols, strawberry cupcakes dipped in chocolate, and sugar-cookielollipops forValentine's Day.[12]
Unicorn was owned by Carrie Padian, who started operating a home kitchen in 2016.[3][8] In January 2019, during the2018–2019 United States federal government shutdown, Unicorn offered 4-inch (10 cm) custom celebration cakes or a $40 discount on larger orders for federal employees in financial stress.[13]
In February 2020,Brooke Jackson-Glidden ofEater Portland described Padian's plan to open a storefront for Unicorn on February 29.[3] The bakery's murals were painted by the time of theLeap Year grand opening.[4]
Unicorn was among approximately 100 businesses in thePortland metropolitan area to participate in the 2022 "Shop Small Win Big" event, which supports local businesses.[9] In late 2023, Padian said Unicorn was experiencing a financial strain. She wrote on social media that the shop made insufficient sales and urged its customers to spend their money on small businesses.[6]
Unicorn's shop closed permanently on February 29, 2024, after operating for exactly four years.[6]The Oregonian said the closure was part of a "rash of recent shutters" of local bakeries.[5] Similarly,KGW said the closure was among several local vegan establishments that stopped operating around the same time, includingBlossoming Lotus,Fermenter, andSweet Hereafter.[14] Padian continued to fulfill custom cake orders from her home after Unicorn's storefront closed.[11]
InEater Portland's 2024 overview of recommendations for birthday cakes in the city, Michelle Lopez, Brooke Jackson-Glidden, and Janey Wong stated Unicorn was "ideal for kids' birthday parties",[11] a sentiment shared by Denise Castañon ofPDX Parent.[2] The magazineVegNews included Unicorn in a 2024 list of the 16 best bakeries in the nation for vegan cupcakes.[1]NW Kids Magazine recommended Unicorn for custom cakes for birthday parties and celebrations.[15]
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