susannyny
Member
It's finally here! La Boulangerie (109-01 72nd Rd) will be having their grand opening this Wednesday, July 13 at 7 am.
I'm going to continue to talk to Francois about putting together a bread baking class this fall. Just a quick roll call ... who would be interested in a bread baking class?
ShaynaMadel
Member
Me. Just a thought--if they have a website, he might want to create some sort of mailing list to gauge interest.
jewels
Member
They currently have a Facebook page with some info and photos--looks good
http://www.facebook.com/pages/La-Boulangerie/221808484514534?sk=info
ShaynaMadel
Member
I walked by there on the way to work this morning. It looks charming. There was real money spent on getting this place ready. I hope it works for them.
coreynyc
Member
They better spend or advertising & promotion. They are on a side street off of the less heavily trafficked chain store free & public transportation free end of Austin St. Even if their product is top notch, word of mouth will only get them so far.
jewels
Member
They should take advantage of Bastille Day. Pui Bello just reopened their main entrance on QB selling sandwiches and desserts and they were empty every time I passed by
ShaynaMadel
Member
They are better off than places on some of the other side streets in that they are directly opposite the entrance to the Our Lady Queen of Martyrs parking lot, so parishioners will hopefully see the place when they enter/exit the lot and when school is back in session, parents and teachers will see the place. Plus, because the parking lot is flat, when you're on Austin Street, walking from Ascan toward Continental, pedestrians hopefully will notice it more easily than would be the case if they were on one of the other side streets with a more impeded view. But they do need to get the word out. I wonder if handing out flyers actually does any good.
ShaynaMadel
Member
Piu Bello is in an odd, seemingly jinxed spot.
TALBOTRESIDENT
Member
Nothings been able to stick there since Mama Sorrento's left more than 30 years ago.
seltzerchick
Member
If I weren't severely gluten-intolerant, I would be one of their first and best customers, and probably be joining you for that bread-baking class, Susan. I wish Francois much success -- the space looks lovely, and this is the kind of small business I love to see opening in our neighborhood.
jewels
Member
When Pui Bello lost their lease and moved into the Italian restaurant I know they didn't realize how they just how bad the food was. Their only competition for dessert was Marthas. Now they will have Old Vienna Cafe and La Boulangerie. Next month there will be a Night Out Against Crime in MacDonald Park across from the restaurant and they should take advantage of that.
The plus for La Boulangerie is they are around the corner from Bonfire (different vibe) and near Natural, Sushi Time which sell food and near Bonelle. Chic and Green was completely hidden
Last Wed night I passed by Agora close to 10pm and they were jammed
Keith
Member
Fresh croissants! For real? Woot! I am definitely there. Well, maybe not Wednesday, but this weekend.
seltzerchick
Member
I don't think Piu Bello will have any competition from La Boulangerie, Jewels -- it's a boulangerie (bread bakery), not a patisserie (pastry shop).
jewels
Member
Pui Bello now sells Paninis, coffee, brunch. LaBoulangerie will have coffee, sandwiches.
bobbyrab
Member
Maybe we can have our imagined get-together at one of the new places. As long as they have a bar :)
jewels
Member
That leaves us with Exo and Common Space. I think Exo has HH until 8pm each night
bobbyrab
Member
I think we can probably have it in a phone booth, if any exist anymore.
Booth
Member
Susan, count me in for a class =)
susannyny
Member
@seltzerchick, in addition to bread they going to be offering charcuterie plates, and I'm imagining their coffee may be a nice surprise. Hopefully you'll still be able to enjoy the place ... they really did a beautiful job inside.
@ShaynaMadel, glad you're on board with the bread baking class!!
For a place like La Boulangerie, I think they can benefit greatly from ValPak advertising (a buy 2 croissants get 1 free type (or get a free small coffee) offer).
jewels
Member
Actually instead of Val Pak they can put a coupon online (FB) or a small ad in one of the local papers with a coupon such as the Courier. YogoMonster did this when they opened. Panera just sent out a bunch of coupons to people living in the area--but they are a chain and can afford the advertising. They can even do a small groupon. Oko had one a few months ago--$5 for $10 worth of yogurt/coffee.
seltzerchick
Member
Good news about the non-wheaty offerings, Susan! I'll be eager to check out their charcuterie plates, and can happily imagine stopping in for a cup of really good coffee in the early morning, when Austin and the surrounding blocks are blissfully quiet. (I didn't fully realize this until the day that I had to walk down to the 112th Precinct to discuss a police report before going to work.)
ShaynaMadel
Member
I agree that they should offer some sort of "come-on " in their initial advertising. I think that Val-Pak or a handbill is the way to go for starters. Newspaper alone won't do it. They need to get the word out to patrons of Natural, who are often willing to pay more $ for a quality product. They need to put info directly into people's hands rather than hope that people trip over their Internet ads.
rigo parc
Member
I met the owner about four months ago when I was looking inside and he invited me in for a tour and told me about his plans. He lives in the neighborhood and could not have been friendlier.
With regards to being on a side street, unlike many side streets, this one is unique because of the church parking lot, which gives them more visibility as people enter/exit, and you can see the store as you walk down Austin St. I also think like Agora, where the owners created a great-looking space, this place is something unique in the neighborhood.
ShaynaMadel
Member
I also like that you can see into the work area from the street.
jewels
Member
Susan
If you speak to the owner mention a publication called Edible Queens. They did a story on Cannelle in Woodside which was started by the Pastry Chefs at the Waldorf--it is really in the middle of nowhere in a small strip mall--no transportation nearby. I saw a story on the opening and when a friend came by with a car I insisted we try it. This was last year and she still talks about the pastry we purcHased. You would never believe an upscale french bakery would survive in that area--but thru word of mouth people travel there from all over NY. I believe one of the writers lives in our neighborhood. It would be great PR. The publication is also online
g-man
Member
maybe they migh tsell some first grade teas.
AnotherKGresident
Member
This is great news!
ShaynaMadel
Member
They have some seating, so you gotta figure that they expect that people will want to wash down their product with something. Go for it, g-man!
stockguru
Member
Not to sound snobby, but after hearing all these great things about Cannelle, I drove over to try it a few weeks ago. I don't get the good reviews. It wasn't bad, but it definitely is not worth driving over for in my opinion.
ShaynaMadel
Member
When I went to Canelle several months ago, I bought several small things so I could do a sort of sampling with a few other people. Most thing were good to great, some not so good. Wish I could remember in more detail. Same thing happened a few years back when I went to Payard when it was still on the upper east side. I had been told by an acquaintance who is well-known in the baking profession that Payard.'s stuff is hit or miss and he was right. Works of art, but often doesn't taste great. But boy, when it's good, it's to die for.
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