LYNN – Exchange Street has a new bakery on the block.
Ivory Pot Bakery celebrated its ribbon cutting Wednesday afternoon and is set to open its doors Saturday at 11 a.m. at its new location at 38 Exchange St.
Mayor Jared C. Nicholson said he and his family are “very excited” for the bakery’s re-opening at its new location, as he has gotten several birthday cakes from Ivory Pot Bakery over the years and plans to continue doing so in the future.
“The city council offers their sincerest congratulations to Ivory Pot Bakery,” said Ward 4 Councilor Natasha Megie-Maddrey. “In recognition of your grand opening, the Lynn City Council acknowledges your accomplishments, dedication to community, and overall excellence serves as an inspiration for all to follow.”
Linda Ibrahim, bakery owner, is excited about the upcoming venture.
“I’m really happy that it came to life,” she said. “It’s like a new beginning.”
Formerly located on Eastern Avenue, Ivory Pot Bakery specializes in hand-crafted, freshly baked goods and customized cakes. Ibrahim said when her lease was up at her previous location, where she had been for five years, she was interested in finding a spot with more foot traffic. On Exchange Street, the bakery is located inside the first floor of the former Daily Item building, which now includes residential units on the top four floors.
Ibrahim, originally from West Africa’s Ivory Coast, has long had a passion for baking.
“I grew up baking with my mom,” she said. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do.”
She said she began baking when she was 5 years old. Ibrahim joked that she “always knew what I wanted to do, but just to please my parents, I studied accounting.” Ibrahim came to the U.S. for an education, earning her bachelor’s degree in accounting and her master’s degree in international relations.
But Ibrahim has said since she was young she always wanted to own a business. Once she narrowed down that concept to owning a restaurant, specifically with French and African influences, Ivory Pot Bakery was born.
She opened her first bakery in 2018 in an office park in Woburn, where she tended to do more catering to local businesses. She was quickly drawn to the storefront opportunities in Lynn.
“I really like the city. It’s so diverse,” she said. “And I love having my own business. We put a lot of effort and love into it.”
As part of her move, Ibrahim was able to secure a loan through the Economic Development & Industrial Corporation of Lynn (EDIC/Lynn).
“We’re thrilled to have Ivory Pot Bakery growing and reopening in downtown Lynn, better serving all the residents, commuters, and employees in that area,” said EDIC/Lynn Executive Director James M. Cowdell.
The bakery will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. It will offer freshly baked goods, morning pastries, tarts, pies, artisan cupcakes, celebration cakes, and more.
“People love our meat pies and our croissants, and our cake pops and eclairs,” Ibrahim said. “We’ll be focusing on our top products because I really want everything to be fresh and consistent – but whatever people need, we’ll be happy to make by order.”
Ivory Pot Bakery may soon be hosting cake decorating classes as well. Ibrahim grew up in France and emphasized that if someone wanted to learn to bake in France, there were plenty of opportunities available – but the same cannot be said for the U.S.
Whether it’s a quick grab-and-go item or a custom creation, Ibrahim intends to ensure every bite is a memorable experience. With 72 hours advanced notice, custom orders can be made in-person, over the phone, or online at ivorybakery.com.
