Couple behind Pushkin’s to open gluten-free donut shop with vegan ice cream in midtown

A new vegan and gluten-free sweet shop from the owners of Pushkin’s Bakery is coming to the ground floor of The Didion condominium complex in midtown Sacramento.

Danny and Olga Turner plan to open Babes in summer 2020 at 2417 J St., they announced in an Instagram post Tuesday morning. It’ll specialize in plant-based ice cream and gluten-free doughnuts — the latter of which are currently only sold at Sundays at Pushkin’s locations.

“For the last five years we’ve been making vegan/gf donuts at our Midtown Bakery. The real OGs may even remember when we used to sell ice cream on waffle cones at the bakery!” the post read. “Well we’re bringing it all back seven days a week this time in its own location!”

The Turners first opened gluten-free Pushkin’s Bakery at 1820 29th St. in 2013, followed by a full-scale restaurant at 1813 Capitol Ave. in 2015. A Roseville bakery and cafe also opened earlier this year.

The Didion will house 12 condominiums units with east-facing balconies once construction is completed on the four-story building. Developer Julie Young also designed the five condos above Pushkin’s Capitol Avenue restaurant, one of which she lives in.

Babes will join the most vegan-friendly section of the Sacramento region, with Burger Patch, Veg Cafe and under-construction Good Vibes Vegan Cafe & Herbs all within three blocks.