Artisan French Bakery La Boulangerie Co Opening in the Hyde Park Shopping Center

La Boulangerie & Co, an artisan French bakery, is opening its doors in the Hyde Park Shopping Center at the end of September, bringing French bread and pastries back to the Hyde Park community. The new bakery will occupy the location of the former Bonjour Bakery, which closed in 2022.

Vincent Colombet, the owner of La Boulangerie, was thrilled to learn that the University of Chicago wanted the French baking tradition to continue in that space and eagerly took the opportunity to bring his bakery, known for its commitment to high-quality ingredients and traditional methods, to Hyde Park’s vibrant community. With locations already thriving in Logan Square, Lincoln Square, and Humboldt Park, Colombet knows the importance of a neighborhood’s identity. La Boulangerie intends to become a part of the Hyde Park community in the same way, and it has a head start.

Since 2014, La Boulangerie & Co has been a familiar sight on campus, offering fresh baked goods out of a food truck on Ellis Avenue. Their dedication to quality cultivated a loyal following among students and staff alike. They left the food truck life behind when the COVID-19 pandemic began and turned their attention to brick-and-mortar locations instead. The long-awaited return to Hyde Park is exciting for both La Boulangerie and the Hyde Park community.

The new location will offer fresh pastries and breads made with high-quality butter and flour imported directly from a miller in Orléans, France, where Colombet honed his craft. French millers like the one providing flour to La Boulangerie, have been milling organic flour long before such practices made their way to the U.S. and the difference in flavor is unmistakable. Once, when another bakery location experienced a power outage, Colombet persuaded a ComEd worker, with the help of a little fresh bread, to connect the bakery to the next meter over to restore power faster. That’s the power of artisan bread!

On your first visit, Colombet recommends trying a fresh baguette and flaky croissant. Keep it simple so you can really taste the product itself and the quality ingredients. Less is more! Patrons will be encouraged to keep coming back to try new menu items as the seasons change. Because La Boulangerie uses only the finest fresh ingredients, seasonal fruits determine what’s on the menu throughout the year. As autumn creeps in, expect to see more apples, pears, nuts, and pumpkin flavors. Beyond seasonal fruits, Colombet plans to continue to expand the menu—possibly beyond just baked goods—as he learns more about the tastes of the community. Suggestions are always welcome.

Engagement with the University community doesn’t stop at proximity; catering services are set to start soon along with participation in local events like the Hyde Park farmers market and delivering baked goods to Hyde Park restaurants – fostering deeper connections within this vibrant community.

As La Boulangerie & Co opens its doors for the first time in Hyde Park on Thursday with a small friends and family Grand Opening event. Colombet looks forward to welcoming the University of Chicago community to experience the magic of artisan baked goods when the open to the public later this month.