Leo & Co. Closes to Make Room for Glazed Donuts Expansion

Leo & Co. in the Essex Experience will close its doors on November 13. The space at 21 Essex Way is being converted into a new establishment called Glazed Café. This change marks the end of a business that opened in June 2024. It also signals the end of an era for the building, which previously hosted Sweet Clover Market for 17 years.

Rachel Lee, 36, co-owner of Glazed Donuts, confirmed the transition. She and her husband, Jordan, have shared the location since August. Lee stated that the couple aims to launch the new café in early December. During the interim period, customers can still purchase doughnuts, but only through online preorders. The physical counter will remain limited until the full renovation is complete.

Glazed Café will expand beyond baked goods. The menu will include hot breakfast burritos, sandwiches, and a specific doughnut sandwich. It will also feature lunch items similar to those previously served by Leo & Co. Beverage options will include coffee drinks, smoothies, and dirty sodas made with syrup and cream. Staff from Leo & Co. will continue to bake popular items such as vegan blueberry muffins and chocolate-tahini cookies.

Lee acknowledged the community role of the previous business. She said, “We fully understand that Leo & Co. has become a third space for the local community and don’t want to change that.” To maintain that feel, the new venue will add a play area for children. The owners also plan to introduce a secret pizza menu for weekends. They hope to offer same-day online ordering and DoorDash delivery by early 2027.

Kayla Silver, 33, founded Leo & Co. as a daytime café and market. She opened the business in the same building as her earlier venture, Salt & Bubbles Wine Bar and Market, which launched in 2021. Silver confirmed she has listed Salt & Bubbles for sale. She is currently speaking with several prospective buyers regarding the wine shop.

Silver described the decision to close Leo & Co. and sell her wine bar as difficult. She noted that the move allows her to adjust her workload. Silver stated, “I took stock of where I’m at in my life, and it’s not that I don’t love what I do, but I’m also putting in more hours than a mother with an eight-month-old is interested in putting in.” She plans to use her industry experience in a different capacity, likely working for another employer.

The closure of Leo & Co. represents a shift in the local commercial landscape. While the doughnut bakery remains, the market aspect will be reduced in size. The building will continue to host food and beverage services under new management. The transition is expected to be complete by early December.