A Grand Rapids pop-up bakery that’s built a cult following for its pastries, matcha drinks, and sellout crowds is finally getting a permanent home.
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From Apartment Kitchen To Pop-Up Lines
Cou Cou Bakehouse began as a tiny apartment baking project. Now it’s become one of the city’s most talked-about food pop-ups, with people showing up early just for a shot at snagging pastries before they sell out. Cou Cou is getting ready to take its biggest step yet: a permanent brick-and-mortar bakery on Fulton Street.
Owner Joy Shin first launched Cou Cou Bakehouse in early 2024 while working a full-time job at a school. A self-taught baker with a background in literature and philosophy, she started making cookies and cakes out of her one-bedroom apartment before taking a chance on her first pop-up in Grand Rapids.
Building a Following Across Grand Rapids
From there, Cou Cou began popping up at coffee shops and small businesses around town, building a loyal following through rotating menus filled with cookies, focaccia sandwiches, donuts, cheesecakes, matcha drinks, and globally inspired flavors that stood out from the usual bakery lineup.
Part of what’s resonated with people here isn’t just the pastries. It’s the story behind them, too. Joy has spoken openly about how food helped create a sense of belonging while living far from home, and that feeling seems woven into the entire concept behind Cou Cou.
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As demand grew, the business moved into Chef Shack, the shared incubator kitchen space that’s helped launch several local food concepts. Even then, the team quickly outgrew the setup, often selling hundreds of items in just a few hours during twice-weekly pop-ups…