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AMELIE´S FRENCH BAKERY AND CAFE OPENS IN HYDE PARK VILLAGE
HYDE PARK - The decor at the new bakery in Hyde Park Village is as inviting as a mug of hot cocoa and twice-baked croissant.
"It feels like a French flea market,´ says Carole Binkowski, co-owner of Amelie´s … a French Bakery & Café.
The shop, in the former Restaurant BT space, features cozy seatings around decoupaged tables and creative chandeliers made from cast-offs collected from Habitat for Humanity. Bible study groups and book clubs are welcome to convene at big round tables. Students can curl up with a laptop and a salted caramel brownie in front of a fireplace. Gymgoers might share an eclair at a mosaic patio table out front.
"We want this to be the neighborhood hangout, almost like you´re part owner,´ said Carole´s husband, Todd, noting that the original Amelie´s in Charlotte, N.C., is open 24 hours a day in a historic arts district.
The Hyde Park bakery is set to open Saturday, and owners boast of tasty brioche and baguettes and "the best espresso you´ve ever had," Carole said.
"Most everything is made by hand, with European butter and very fine chocolate,´ said Todd, a small-business consultant. "We´re starting with pastries, breads, muffins and tarts, and we´ll add soups, salads and sandwiches over the next month."
The Binkowski family, including Plant High students Robert and Laura, and third-grader Michael, moved to Hyde Park in August 2009. Right off, they knew what was missing.
"We said, ´Hyde Park Village needs an Amelie´s,´ " said Carole.
In December, pastry chef Amanda Schade, 23, moved from Charlotte to Tampa to run the kitchen. "These are old-world French recipes adapted by the founder of Amelie´s," said Schade as she formed ganache squares that become hot chocolate when dissolved in steamed milk.
Amelie´s … a French Bakery & Café, at 1633 W Snow Ave., opens daily at 6 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, midnight on Friday and Saturday. Visit ameliesbakery.com or call (813) 254-5257.
Contact:
Todd Binkowski
Amelie's French Bakery and Cafe
(813) 254-5257
todd@smallcompanyadviser.com
