The seating area in Aub’s Lounge adorned with warm lighting and decorated with pieces from Black artists
Located off George Washington Way in Richland, Aub’s Lounge: Gourmet Banana Bread & Poetry isn’t just a bakery, it’s a sanctuary for community and creativity. Founded by Aubrieann Johnson — a Black, queer entrepreneur — Aub’s Lounge offers an alcohol-free environment that promotes genuine human connection. What started in 2021 as Aub’s Bananza Bread has grown into a social hub brimming with culture and comfort.
The inspiration behind Aub’s Lounge
In 2021, Aubrieann started Aub’s Bananza Bread as a home-based business. She quickly found herself needing more space for production and became a resident at the Pasco Specialty Kitchen. She opened her first shop at the Kennewick Public Market, and opened a second location occupying a window space at the Pasco SPK. In the years following the launch of Aub’s Bananza Bread, Aubrieann recognized a void in the social fabric of Tri-Cities — a lack of spaces where adults could gather comfortably without alcohol. “[As] a ‘30 something’ year old in Tri-Cities, I quickly realized I literally had nowhere to go and hang out and relax with other adults in the atmosphere I wanted that wasn’t centered around alcohol,” she explains. In 2024, Aubrieann opened Aub’s Lounge, determined to establish that kind of space.
To Aubrieann, Aub’s now stands for Amplify Unique Bonds Socially (AUBS). Without the distractions or pressures of alcohol, guests are invited to be present, connect authentically, and engage in shared experiences that nourish the soul. Her goal is to provide “culture, community, and comfort without compromise.”
A space for everyone
Aub’s Lounge greets its guests with warm lighting, eclectic décor, and walls adorned with Black art. The atmosphere exudes comfort and creativity. From cozy reading nooks to a community puzzle table, every corner of the lounge has been thoughtfully designed to cater to diverse needs. “Aub’s lounge has the most cozy, inviting, ‘make you wanna stay a while’ atmosphere in Tri-Cities, if you ask me,” says Aubrieann. Whether you’re relaxing with a book, talking to friends, or diving into work with easy access to outlets, there’s a spot for you.
For folks with something to say, the lounge boasts a small stage with a microphone that’s always on, inviting spontaneous performances or heartfelt expressions.
Gourmet banana bread
At the center of Aub’s Lounge is its gourmet banana bread offered in over 30 unique flavors. Patrons can ‘Make it Cozy’ — where their banana bread is sliced, warmed, and served with whipped cream and a drizzle of choice — all complimentary when dining in. For an indulgent treat, the ‘Bananza A La Mode’ adds ice cream to give it a little extra.
Complementing the bread are Aub’s Sumptuous Soups, a rotating selection featuring favorites like Thai Curry, Zuppa Toscana, and Pozole Rojo. Free samples of both banana bread and soup are always available, ensuring everyone can try before they buy.
A safe haven for expression
One of Aub’s Lounge’s standout features is A Spoken Space, a poetry open mic held twice weekly on Thursday and Friday. Created by Aubrieann’s fiancée and house poet, Ms. Jurudawise, the event welcomes poets, singers, storytellers, comedians, and more to share their voices. Described as a “safe space to be heard,” this event has become a staple in the community, fostering a culture of self-expression and vulnerability.
In addition to poetry nights, the lounge hosts a wide array of events, including writers’ workshops, crafting events, soup soirées, boardgame nights, a reading social club, monthly video game tournaments, and other connection and networking events.
A community-centered vision
Aub’s Lounge isn’t just a business — it’s a community cornerstone. “By simply providing this healthy environment with such welcoming energy, the community has been utilizing it in such an organic way.” Aubrieann says. The lounge has become a place where strangers leave as friends, exchanging contact information and bonding over their shared love of banana bread and poetry.
Patrons have found inspiration to write, perform, and express themselves in ways they never imagined. “I’m watching people heal in so many ways in this beautiful space I’ve created,” Aubrieann shares.
Visit Aub’s Lounge
Located at 710 George Washington Way, STE AA, Richland, WA, Aub’s Lounge is open Wednesday through Saturday with varied hours to accommodate both daytime and evening visits. Whether you’re stopping in for a midday break, attending an event, or seeking a cozy spot for a date night, Aub’s Lounge is the perfect destination.
The Third Space Project is a community effort created to increase awareness of Third Spaces in Tri-Cities, Washington. Now, more than ever, public spaces where people can communicate, socialize, collaborate, attain greater cultural awareness, and find comfort together are a dire necessity.
We’re choosing to focus on local businesses that have a comfortable place to exist alongside other folks, an intrinsic connection to our community, and an assurance of safety for folks who belong to traditionally underserved groups
We will continue to create articles devoted to these businesses, provide information with respect to the services they provide, and also bring awareness to how these spaces are interacting with each other and their communities in order to provide emotional value beyond simply the business they conduct.
DO YOU HAVE A THIRD SPACE IN THE TRI-CITIES AREA?
Apply to be a part of Tumbleweird’s Third Space Project: thirdspaceproject.org
