If youre hankering for something to satisfy your sweet tooth, the Hip Hop Sweet Shop will get the job done. The newly renovated shop sitting at 1805 W. Jefferson St. offers a wide variety of treats including cheesecake parfaits, cookies, cupcakes, slushes, milkshakes, cake shakes, banana pudding and more.
Along with the delicious treats, the Hip Hop Sweet Shop also delivers, you guessed it, hip-hop. Vibrant graffiti art by local artist Braylyn Resko Stewart covers the inside of the shop and customers can also find many of hip-hops greatest performers lining the walls and collaged on the tables.
While owner Lafesa Johnson just recently renovated the space, shes been in the baking game since 2005 when she started her first business called Edible Creations. In 2018, she bought a school bus and turned it into a mobile bakery that she named the Hip Hop Sweet Shop.
The newly renovated shop was originally a commissary kitchen for the school bus. Since she didnt run the bus during the winter, Johnson decided to further expand the space on W. Jefferson to create seating for customers. She also plans to eventually rent out the space for events, parties and game nights.
A former resident of the Russell neighborhood, Johnson always planned to have her business in the area to build another ambition of hers, mentoring at-risk girls. Johnson aims to host professionals in various fields to teach as well as inspire young women. Homeless and pregnant at 13, Johnson recognizes the importance of a support system and teaching girls what they need to know to succeed. I didn't have anybody in my corner, I didn't have anybody to guide me, I didn't have anybody to protect me, I didn't have anybody. So I always wanted to be that for somebody else," she said.
Keep Louisville interesting and support LEO Weekly by subscribing to our newsletter here. In return, youll receive news with an edge and the latest on where to eat, drink and hang out in Derby City.