Ramune Rastonis has been following the progress at the corner of Alabama and 24th streets in her Mission District neighborhood for years, watching as the neglected building that once housed longtime panaderia La Victoria blossomed into Cinderella Bakery and Cafe, a San Francisco Russian bakery known for honey cake, borsch and beef-stuffed piroshki. 

The Lithuanian American was among the fans waiting in line for the grand opening on Aug. 28. By the time owners Mike and Marika Fishman flung open the doors at 8 a.m., it stretched along the colorful, mural-clad building and around the corner. When asked what she planned to order — pelmeni or hamantaschen? — Rastonis quipped: “Whatever they have left!”

This is the second location for Cinderella, which is the oldest Russian bakery in San Francisco. The original has been a fixture of the Inner Richmond’s “Little Russia” neighborhood for 73 years and obtained legacy business status in 2017. At nearly double the size, the new Mission outpost will allow its second-generation owners more space for bread production — and product expansion for both retail and wholesale. Everything Cinderella sells, from the signature dark rye to the fermented kvass beverage, is scratch-made daily.

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It’s been a long road for the Fishmans, who purchased the building eight years ago and faced extreme delays as a result of rising construction costs and financing challenges during the pandemic, Marika told SFGATE. Chris Sullivan, the architect behind Souvla’s restaurants, led the “complete overhaul,” which included electrical and plumbing work.

“It took us some time, but we’re finally here sharing our Russian culinary heritage in this very nice, historic, diverse community,” Mike added. 

Inside, the cafe is filled with lush plants and lined with leather banquettes and wooden tables that seat a total of 36 people. Marika designed the interior herself, mixing burgundy and........

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