The PanCake Bakery

Located in the heart of Chattanooga, Tennessee, PanCake Bakery reimagines classic desserts with an ingenious, individual-sized twist. Founded by Renita Johnson—affectionately known as Lady J—and her husband Chef Lemont Johnson, this culinary gem specializes in unique, single-serving "PanCakes" baked directly in individual pans. Born out of a passion for scratch-made comfort food and a shift toward health-conscious portion sizes, the bakery offers a rotating weekly menu featuring everything from monster cookies and rich bread pudding to homemade crumb cakes and fresh-baked pies.

Every recipe tells a story of over four decades of culinary experience, tracing back to the couple's previous local restaurants, Café Lemont and Lemont’s Southern Cuisine. Lady J combines handmade crumbles, premium fillings, and meticulous cake layers to craft memorable sweet treats. Customers can complement their desserts with refreshing specialty beverages, including raspberry tea, tutti-fruitti tea, and pineapple passion lemonade, making it a go-to destination for local dessert enthusiasts.

Community impact sits at the core of the business operations. A dedicated portion of the bakery’s proceeds directly funds the SKIRTS ministry, a non-profit organization established by Lady J to support the broken-hearted and help community members discover their true purpose. Additionally, the business hosts and supports a specialized Summer Enrichment Program, where Chefs Lemont and Renita co-teach young children essential food safety and foundational baking skills, ensuring that every sweet treat sold helps make a tangible difference in the lives of local youth.