Rosca Bagel Shop to Open in Chicago Pilsen
The bakery is expected to launch its first storefront by late December 2026 or early January 2027.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Baking
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Felix Zepeda and Ariana Cabral are opening a brick-and-mortar location for their bagel business, Rosca, in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. The shop is slated to open at 1502 W. 18th St. by late December 2026 or early January 2027.
Why it matters
The transition from pop-up markets to a dedicated storefront represents a significant expansion for the local bagel business. Owners plan to build on their existing success by broadening their offerings to include sandwiches, pastries, and a new coffee program.
The new storefront at 1502 W. 18th St. occupies the site of a former Slice Factory building. The shop currently features seven signature bagel varieties, including mango and pepita, Mexican Everything, and red mole.
The players
Felix Zepeda
Felix Zepeda is a co-owner of the bagel business Rosca and has personal family ties to the building located at 1502 W. 18th St.
Ariana Cabral
Ariana Cabral is a co-owner of Rosca who is helping lead the transition of the business from pop-up operations to a permanent brick-and-mortar storefront.
The details
The owners performed extensive renovations, including demolition and construction, to prepare the building where Zepeda's family members once lived. Friends and family helped move equipment and clean the space after Rosca previously utilized facilities at Panadería Irámuco and Hoste.
Timeline
The shop is expected to open by late December 2026 or early January 2027.
Culture Shift
This move mirrors the established pattern of independent pop-up food vendors transitioning to permanent retail storefronts as businesses seek to scale production. It reflects a broader trend of small-batch bakeries securing physical space to build local community brands.
Residents in the Pilsen neighborhood can anticipate a new source for specialty bagels and expanded cafe items once the doors open. This shop will likely change the daily routine for breakfast commuters who previously relied on intermittent pop-up appearances.
The takeaway
Supporting local pop-up businesses as they scale into permanent locations helps sustain the unique culinary character of a neighborhood. Customers can track the progress of the renovation to anticipate new menu options like sandwiches and coffee in the coming months.
Further reading
For more on the local food scene, see our Baking section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Block Club Chicago.
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