KANSAS CITY, MO — A new name is entering the bakery cafe scene in the Kansas City metro on April 19.
Just a month after Enchante, a bakery and coffee shop located in the heart of the city, announced the closure of its retail storefront, new ownership will take over under the name Soli Deo Coffee + Bakery. The revamped business, now owned by Austin Morris, is set to open its doors to the public again on Easter weekend.
The original business, founded by Heather White, opened in 2023. Her decision to transition the bakery from a retail storefront to a wholesale operation stemmed from a number of factors, including increased construction from the extension of the KC Streetcar and a series of break-ins in the community.
When Austin heard the news, he approached Heather to acquire the business. Together, the pair worked out a deal that would reintroduce the independent coffee shop while maintaining the current bakery operations.
The new name is adapted from the Latin phrase Soli Deo gloria, which translates to “Glory to God alone.” Austin said the brand identity is designed to invite customers of all walks of life and serves as a testament to the new owner’s intentions for the bakery.
“We want this to be a very welcoming, warm place,” he said. “This a place where people can come and have a warm cup of coffee or bakery item. The whole community is meant to be here.”
In addition to the name change, Austin is investing in an elevated coffee program at the bakery through a partnership with local roastery Chingu Coffee.
“One thing we’re really trying to dive into is making the coffee on par with our pastries and baked goods,” he said.
Signature offerings from Enchante, including quiche and rosewater croissants, will remain on the menu, and will be crafted by the original bakery team from Enchante.
Another shift will include some small changes for improved operations and customer experience. As founder and owner of Aventi Weddings, a Kansas City wedding business offering photography, videography and coordination services, Austin said that he plans to implement some similar workflows to Soli Deo.
“We have a lot of small operational changes for how we do day-to-day orders and what new items we bring to the table,” he said. “It all filters through that lens of consistency, granting our guests a great experience and making this something that operates well.”
As the bakery enters its next era, Soli Deo’s initial operating hours will be Tuesday-Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Austin also shared that the business will be cashless at the start to reduce the risk of break-ins.
“I’ve never owned a coffee shop/bakery before, but our main ask is that people just come out and have a cup of coffee or bakery item and be a part of the journey with us,” Austin said.
