Little Loaf Bakeshop

LITTLE LOAF BAKESHOP

New Paltz, NY

Little Loaf Bakeshop, a beloved fixture in the Hudson Valley’s LGBTQ and vegan communities, expanded into a new “white-box” space to realize their vision of a commercial kitchen, coffee bar, and vibrant café. River Architects led space planning, interior design, and brand integration—shaped by the client’s core values of inclusivity, community connection, and sustainability.

The design program called for a high-performance layout that balances efficient back-of-house production with a warm, inviting customer experience. In close collaboration with the base building architect, we developed a floor plan that meets all applicable code and ADA requirements, including appropriately scaled and accessible restroom facilities for the anticipated occupancy.

The interior design merges beauty, durability, and cost-consciousness. A palette of warm, natural finishes provides a calming foundation for bold accents of pink and green—a nod to the brand’s identity—enhanced by modern serving ware and lush greenery. Expansive street-facing windows flood the space with natural light, while custom lighting elements offer a cozy, adaptable ambiance for evening events and open-mic nights. A micro-stage and custom waste-sorting millwork reinforce the space’s flexibility and sustainable ethos.

Inspired by Little Loaf’s vibrant brand and community-centered mission, the design embraces playful forms, tactile textures, and environmentally conscious materials, reflecting values of minimal waste and circular-economy principles. Built with adaptability in mind, the café is designed to evolve alongside the business’s future growth.

Photos by Pamela Cook