Inspired by Women’s History Month, Montclair Local is excited to launch “She Means Business,” a series celebrating the achievements of women entrepreneurs who have shaped Montclair’s vibrant business scene. First up is Adena Bayo.
Adena Bayo, Cornbread Co-Founder
One of the newest additions to 372 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair is a soul food restaurant called Cornbread, co-founded by Adena Bayo and Zadie B. Smith. The two met through joint childcare for their children. Smith often sent home food for his children, and that was Bayo’s first attempt at cooking.
“Eventually I met Zeddie and told her that other people around the world need to taste your food more than me,” Bayo said. The two soon went into business together.
Cornbread’s first location was in Maplewood, New Jersey, but Bayo always has plans to expand. Cornbread’s Montclair location will open in November 2023, joining his flagship Maplewood, Newark, N.Y., and Brooklyn locations.
“Montclair is becoming an international culinary hub with a true love of different concepts,” Bayo said. “This town has a rich and diverse culture, so we felt cornbread had a place here.”
Bayoh expressed great appreciation for the supportive reception Cornbread has received from other Montclair businesses.
In the future, Bayo dreams of cornbread becoming well-known, expanding the store and eventually becoming a franchise.
“When you put out love into the universe, it comes back to you. And I think we’ve done a really great job of putting this beloved concept out into the world,” Bayo said.
business inspiration
Bayo was inspired to enter the business world by her grandmother, who raised her during her childhood. “This woman came from nothing. She built herself without any education,” Bayo said. “She had a restaurant, she had real estate, she had a bakery, she had a farm. She’s really inspirational when you’re with her.”
Before coming to Montclair, Bayo made a name for himself as an established businessman, owning four IHOP franchises in the northern New Jersey area and Brick City Vegan in Newark. Bayoh, just around the corner from Cornbread, opened his second restaurant in Montclair, with Brick City Vegan recently opening at 2 S. Willow Montclair.
In addition to his restaurant business, Bayo is also a successful real estate developer and has a passion for uplifting and transforming underprivileged communities.
“I took my knowledge of real estate and applied those skills to the restaurant,” Bayo said. “Those two things he does go hand in hand perfectly, and luckily I love doing both.”
Although Bayo finds her career rewarding, it’s not without its challenges, especially for black women. She said she finds it difficult to access her capital.
“Banks don’t want to lend money to black women who are starting black-concept businesses or ethnic concepts that employ a lot of black people and people of color,” Bayo said.
Despite this, Bayo persevered and achieved success with the support of those around him. She encourages young women to take an interest in business, which she claims will help change the world.
“I think we need more women entrepreneurs because women are influential,” Bayo said. “We were born with love and compassion for our community.”
