Buy Local, Santa Monica: A revived Uplifters Kitchen brings a healthy dose of hope and community to Santa Monica

April 30, 2021 9:05 AM
by Erin Taylor

Show your love for Santa Monica and help rebuild our local economy! When you Buy Local, every $10 spent at a Santa Monica business, as much as $7 stays in the community. For local business specials, visit SantaMonicaShines.com.

For the latest installment in our Buy Local Santa Monica features, we caught up with Salima Saunders, who took over Uplifters Kitchen in Ocean Park last year and is serving up healthy food to the local community. 

Describe what your business does. What types of products/services do you offer?

We are a health conscious vegetarian cafe and bakery located in Ocean Park. We make all our pastries in house and specialize in many preservative-free, vegan, and gluten-free options. Our most popular items are vegan, gluten-free almond strawberry thumbprints, vegan, gluten-free cinnamon sugar baked donuts, a coconut rice and lentil daal (my grandmother’s recipe), and a fabulously stuffed and loaded breakfast burrito. 

What are some interesting facts about your business?

We are Uplifters Kitchen 2.0. I purchased the business from the original owner (also an amazing woman) in July 2020 and reopened in August in the midst of this pandemic. 

Why did you decide to open your business in Santa Monica?

We have lived in Santa Monica for almost 4 years now, and it is time for us to give back to the community! We are here to nourish and feed our friends and neighbors.

It has been a challenging year. What has helped you get through this difficult time? 

My family and friends, even though I couldn’t see anyone in person. I also have had incredible support from other female restaurateurs in LA, specifically from the RE:HER community.

How can people support you and other woman-owned businesses?

Be intentional about your purchasing decisions and support causes you care about.

What do you hope for the future of our Santa Monica community?

I hope we can retain the collaborative environment that has emerged. I am proud of how the community has come together to support each other. 

Uplifters Kitchen

Open Tuesday - Sunday, 8am - 3pm (closed Mondays)

2819 Ocean Park Blvd

Santa Monica, CA 90405

(424) 268-4904

https://www.uplifterskitchen.com

Authored By

Erin Taylor
Senior Marketing Manager