Laika Cheesecakes & Espresso has gained a dedicated social following with its signature cheesecake jars and celebration of Ukrainian heritage. Founded in 2020 by Ukraine-born Anna Afanasieva, the bakery opened its first storefront along San Antonio’s Broadway corridor at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Since its launch, Laika Cheesecakes & Espresso has remained active within the local community through frequent engagement, charitable giving and sustainability efforts.
“We do all kinds of stuff. We do fundraisers. We have donations that we send to Ukraine, and everything from the board and everything going on,” assistant manager Gillian Cortez, said. “The owners are also local — it’s just a small business. So, we do a lot of giveaways. We do a lot like recycling and jar competitions. We like to take suggestions for drinks and cheesecake flavors from the customers.”
According to Cortez, the bakery’s concept was driven by a lack of similar offerings in the city.
“She didn’t really have anything like this here in San Antonio, so I think they were more so looking for that. The owner makes all the recipes, so she just wanted to share that. And she’s from Ukraine and Slovakia, so it’s more like a European-style cheesecake. I think it was bringing that here to San Antonio, making something different, making something super unique to the city,” Cortez said.
In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Laika Cheesecakes & Espresso hosted a fundraising event that generated more than $72,000 in one weekend. Approximately $25,000 was raised through direct donations, with the remaining funds generated from dessert and coffee sales.
Since its opening, the business has expanded to include three additional locations across the greater San Antonio area, including Helotes, Alamo Ranch and New Braunfels.
Cortez emphasized the importance of supporting neighborhood establishments.
“It helps solidify your support for local businesses and they’re supporting the community,” Cortez said. “It’s always about giving back– I feel like that’s really important. I think people come in and they feel that vibe, and they just agree. And they just appreciate a lot more, as opposed to a big restaurant.”
Located across from the University of the Incarnate Word, the original Laika Cheesecakes & Espresso location sits in a small shopping plaza. The business takes its name from Laika, the Soviet space dog who became the first animal in orbit aboard Sputnik 2 in 1957.
Cheesecakes at Laika Cheesecakes & Espresso are served in reusable glass jars with metal screw-top lids, offering customers a convenient and eco-friendly way to store leftovers. The business rotates its selection of flavors weekly, with seasonal options alongside staples like New York Strawberry, Tres Leches and Cookies and Cream.
New flavors and consistent community presence have helped Laika Cheesecakes & Espresso maintain a loyal customer base while drawing in new visitors eager to try something different.
