How Shawn Peled’s Yardsale Cafe Brings Brooklyn’s History to Life

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TLDR

In the heart of South Slope, Brooklyn, there's a hidden gem that brings together the warmth of a neighborhood café with the charm of a vintage flea market. Yardsale Cafe, located at 620 Fifth Avenue, is not your average café. It's a bakery, a vintage shop, and a living tribute to a rich family history and deep cultural roots—all wrapped up in a cozy, welcoming space that feels like home to the locals.

The man behind this unique café is Shawn Peled, an Israeli-born Brooklynite who’s fused his passions for food, history, and vintage collecting to create a one-of-a-kind experience in the heart of Brooklyn. The journey to Yardsale Café began as a deeply personal one for Shawn, rooted in his family’s culinary legacy and his love for the local community.

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A Personal Tribute to Family Legacy

At the core of Yardsale Cafe is Shawn’s beloved cheesecake, which has a special place in his heart and his family's traditions. Inspired by recipes passed down through generations—his mother’s, grandmother’s, and great-grandmother’s—this Basque-style burnt cheesecake is far more than just a dessert. It’s a labor of love, a tribute to his family’s roots in Transylvania, and a reminder of his mother's culinary talents. The cheesecake embodies not only Shawn's journey as a baker but also his deep emotional connection to his heritage. Every bite carries a piece of history, culture, and nostalgia that visitors can taste in every forkful.

Shawn’s connection to his family’s recipes goes beyond just preserving them. The cheesecake, like much of the food at Yardsale, is a cultural fusion that blends influences from his family’s past with modern sensibilities. It’s a story of adaptation and reinvention—a perfect metaphor for Shawn’s own journey in creating a space that merges his love for food with his other passion: vintage collecting.

The Yardsale Concept: A Community-Centered Space

Yardsale Cafe opened its doors on September 23rd, 2020, at the height of the pandemic. While many businesses struggled to stay afloat, Shawn poured his heart and soul into the venture, determined to create a place that reflected his vision and brought the community together. With no indoor seating, the café’s outdoor patio quickly became a beloved spot for locals looking to enjoy delicious pastries, a cup of coffee, or a rich hot chocolate on warm winter afternoons.

What sets Yardsale Cafe apart is its ability to create a sense of belonging. It’s a space where people can come not just for the food, but for the experience. The café’s combination of excellent baked goods, including babka, cinnamon buns, vegan cookies, and a diverse selection of drinks, pairs perfectly with its unique vintage retail offering. Inside, you'll find everything from collectible NBA cards and classic vinyl records to antique teacups, vintage menorahs, lanterns, and magazines. Yardsale Cafe isn’t just a stop for your morning coffee; it's a place to explore, discover, and reminisce.

The vintage items on display aren’t just for show—they’re for sale. Visitors are invited to purchase these collectible treasures, which gives the café a unique edge that keeps customers coming back to see what’s new. Whether you’re an avid collector or someone just looking for a piece of Brooklyn’s past, this cafe offers a blend of nostalgia and modern-day charm in every corner.

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Shawn Peled’s Journey: From Flea Markets to Flourishing Café

Shawn’s journey to opening Yardsale Cafe is as much about his love for food as it is about his deep passion for vintage collecting. Over the years, he developed a fascination with history, antiques, and the stories that these items hold. This love for the past, combined with his years of baking experience, led him to open a business that reflects both sides of his interests.

Shawn’s attention to detail is evident in every aspect of Yardsale Cafe, from the care that goes into each pastry to the way he curates the vintage items throughout the café. It’s a place where people can enjoy the best of both worlds—a delicious bite to eat and the chance to relive a bit of history. As a history buff and a lover of all things vintage, Shawn has managed to craft an environment that is as much about the experience as it is about the product.

Even though the pandemic posed a significant challenge, the owner’s dedication and work ethic helped him build a loyal customer base. Yardsale Cafe quickly became a local favorite, and even attracted attention from food enthusiasts and visitors from beyond Brooklyn. With a history of nearly two decades of perfecting his babka recipe and a deep commitment to his craft, Shawn’s success is a testament to his resilience and love for the community.