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.
Photos by Kathryn Harrington
Kathryn HarringtonThe walls of the Hip Hop Sweet Shop are covered with vibrant graffiti art by local artist Braylyn “Resko” Stewart. Kathryn HarringtonThe renovated Hip Hop Sweet Shop now has seating for customers. Kathryn HarringtonCustomers have a wide variety of treats to select from. Kathryn HarringtonArt by Braylyn “Resko” Stewart. Kathryn HarringtonA customer favorite, the Bangin’ Banana Pudding. Kathryn HarringtonOwner Lafesa Johnson created the collages on the tables featuring many of the greatest in hip hop. Kathryn HarringtonThe Hip Hop Sweet shop specializes in personal servings of a wide variety of confectionary goodies. Kathryn HarringtonCustomers have a wide variety of treats to select from including specialties like cake and brownie shakes. Kathryn HarringtonOne of the customer favorite cheesecake parfaits. Kathryn HarringtonTreats for the senses. Kathryn HarringtonJohnson hand painted bricks on the walls of the newly renovated space. Kathryn Harrington
Sign up. We hope you like us, but if you don't, you can unsubscribe by following the links in the email, or by dropping us a note at leo@leoweekly.com.
Signup
By clicking “subscribe” above, you consent to allow us to contact you via email, and store your information using our third-party Service Provider. To see more information about how your information is stored and privacy protected, visit our policies page.
Subscribe to LEO Weekly Newsletters
Sign up. We hope you like us, but if you don't, you can unsubscribe by following the links in the email, or by dropping us a note at leo@leoweekly.com.
To sign up now, enter your email address in the field below and click the Subscribe button.
By clicking “Subscribe” above, you consent to allow us to contact you via email, and store your information using our third-party Service Provider. To see more information about how your information is stored and privacy protected, visit our policies page.
