Local Bakery Owner's 'Pause' Turns into Permanent Closure Amid Worker Allegations of Mismanagement
Essen Bakery, the beloved South Philadelphia institution renowned for its mouthwatering Jewish breads and pastries, has seemingly come to an abrupt end. The once-acclaimed business, which garnered James Beard Award nominations four times during its eight-year run from 2016 to 2025, has permanently shut down both of its locations in the city.
According to Tova du Plessis, co-owner of Essen Bakery alongside her husband Brad, the couple made the heart-wrenching decision after weeks of failed attempts to revive the business. "We are left with no choice but to close our doors," she said, adding that they are now considering filing for bankruptcy due to the numerous plans that have fallen through.
The sudden and mysterious closure has sparked widespread concern among former employees, many of whom claim they were kept in the dark throughout the ordeal. When Essen Bakery initially closed its stores on May 31, the couple described it as a three-day pause, assuring staff that their "people, health, and future" would be taken care of.
However, several former employees alleged that they received scattered and vague messages through Slack channels, only to find out later that there was no intention of reviving the business. "We were ghosted," said Maranda Leecan, one of the former employees who spoke about their experience on TikTok. "It made me feel mistreated, like my story wasn't worth telling."
The silence continued long after the summer, with some former staff members only discovering the permanent closure when reached by PhillyVoice for comment. Ginny Payne, a former front-of-house worker, expressed relief at finally getting confirmation of the closure, stating that it was "a load off my mind" to know that "that chapter is over."
The situation has also raised concerns about the treatment of workers during the closure process. Former employees claimed they were only offered unemployment benefits late in the process, after one employee had to ask, and some were unable to qualify for assistance, exacerbating their financial difficulties.
As Essen Bakery's social media pages reveal comments from former employees that were later deleted, many are left wondering about the circumstances surrounding the closure. The couple's decision has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the local food scene, leaving fans of the bakery to wonder what went wrong and how they can support those affected by the permanent closure.
Essen Bakery, the beloved South Philadelphia institution renowned for its mouthwatering Jewish breads and pastries, has seemingly come to an abrupt end. The once-acclaimed business, which garnered James Beard Award nominations four times during its eight-year run from 2016 to 2025, has permanently shut down both of its locations in the city.
According to Tova du Plessis, co-owner of Essen Bakery alongside her husband Brad, the couple made the heart-wrenching decision after weeks of failed attempts to revive the business. "We are left with no choice but to close our doors," she said, adding that they are now considering filing for bankruptcy due to the numerous plans that have fallen through.
The sudden and mysterious closure has sparked widespread concern among former employees, many of whom claim they were kept in the dark throughout the ordeal. When Essen Bakery initially closed its stores on May 31, the couple described it as a three-day pause, assuring staff that their "people, health, and future" would be taken care of.
However, several former employees alleged that they received scattered and vague messages through Slack channels, only to find out later that there was no intention of reviving the business. "We were ghosted," said Maranda Leecan, one of the former employees who spoke about their experience on TikTok. "It made me feel mistreated, like my story wasn't worth telling."
The silence continued long after the summer, with some former staff members only discovering the permanent closure when reached by PhillyVoice for comment. Ginny Payne, a former front-of-house worker, expressed relief at finally getting confirmation of the closure, stating that it was "a load off my mind" to know that "that chapter is over."
The situation has also raised concerns about the treatment of workers during the closure process. Former employees claimed they were only offered unemployment benefits late in the process, after one employee had to ask, and some were unable to qualify for assistance, exacerbating their financial difficulties.
As Essen Bakery's social media pages reveal comments from former employees that were later deleted, many are left wondering about the circumstances surrounding the closure. The couple's decision has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through the local food scene, leaving fans of the bakery to wonder what went wrong and how they can support those affected by the permanent closure.
️
"The line between genius and madness is often blurred." - James Patterson It sounds like some really shady stuff went down at Essen Bakery 
And it's heartbreaking that all those workers are struggling now 
I mean, who deserves to be ghosted like that? 
At least the closure is finally official, but what about the uncertainty they had for months? 
especially the ones who were treated unfairly during that time it's just not right 
we gotta make sure those workers get the help they deserve 
... wait, no, actually I am super disappointed in them - like, how could they do that? Their employees were left in the dark for weeks, it's totally understandable that they would feel ghosted 
... or is it? Ugh, my mind is made up, let's just say I'm all about #JusticeForEssenBakery worker solidarity 
that this happened. I mean, I've heard rumors about the struggles Essen Bakery faced, but I didn't think it was this bad. The fact that employees were ghosted and only found out about the permanent closure through PhillyVoice is just crazy 
. And now they're considering bankruptcy? That's devastating for the staff who are already dealing with financial difficulties.
.
This is so heartbreaking to hear about Essen Bakery! It's not just a business, it's a community that has been built over the years. I feel bad for the workers who were ghosted during the whole ordeal 
. Filing for bankruptcy is not an easy option, but at least they're considering their options 
.
. It's so important to support them and raise awareness about what happened during the closure process 
. I hope they receive some financial assistance soon 
.
. If there were issues with mismanagement, it's better to address them head-on rather than letting them fester and causing harm to others 
.
. They may be gone, but their legacy lives on in our hearts 
.
I'm so bummed to hear about Essen Bakery closing down. I mean, who doesn't love a good Jewish bread? 
The owners said there was just a bunch of failed plans, but some people seem to think there's more to the story than that. Maybe we'll never know for sure, but one thing's for sure – Essen Bakery will be missed by this city! 
. essent bakeshop will b missed 
.
. i'm low-key worried bout the treatment of workers during this time...some ppl didnt even qualify for unemployment benefits, that's just wild 
.
especially after they've been working hard to keep the bakery going 
. i hope the community can come together to support those who were left behind 
about Essen Bakery closing down 
anyway, let's keep Essent Bakery in our hearts 
that sounds super unfair. i hope the owners get some help with their financial stuff and maybe even consider starting up again, but i guess you can't force a business to succeed 
. It's like they didn't even bother trying to keep it under wraps . Poor guys got ghosted, left in the dark...and now what? Filing for bankruptcy? That's on them, not us, fam 
. Seriously though, poor guys – those former employees must be feeling like they got kneaded by the situation.