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Bellecour “Pop Up” Bakery Getting Permanent Home Here

What started out as an experiment, with two businesses trying to help each other during the pandemic, has been so successful, it’s here for the long term. A brand new bakery is now being built inside Cooks of Crocus Hill’s North Loop facility to make pastries, sandwiches and sweets, fresh daily.

Two months ago, Cooks cleared space in its retail store for Bellecour to bring in some of its specialties each day to sell. Cooks needed help at the time, with the state restricting the size of its cooking classes and the events it would typically host. And Bellecour’s Wayzata location was also struggling under Covid restrictions, and would eventually close permanently.

But the partnership in the North Loop was successful–and mutually-beneficial–from the start.

“We’re excited,” said Karl Benson, owner of Cooks. “This is a whole new venture for us, and the Bellecour team is awesome. All the bakers are moving here. Gavin (Kaysen, owner of Bellecour) and Diane (Moua, executive pastry chef) will still be the leadership for the baking side.”

The new bakery is being built in the cooking school space, with a commercial oven in the back corner. But there will still be space left for cooking classes to continue in the afternoons and evenings.

“The bakery’s been great for the neighborhood,” said Benson. “I mean, there’s lots of foot traffic. I like the whole, it feels like you’re in France when you sit in front of the flowers and all that.”

With cooler months arriving, Benson said there will be socially-distanced seating inside for bakery customers who aren’t taking their order to go. The new bakery is set to open Saturday, September 19th.

By Mike Binkley, North Loop Neighborhood Association