Paul Bakery closes in Bethesda

A devastating blow for Francophiles in Bethesda: Paul Bakery has closed at 4760 Bethesda Avenue, in the Flats at Bethesda Avenue apartments. The French bakery cafe opened here in June of 2015, as one of the big names attracted to the ground floor retail spaces of the massive Lot 31 development. Mon dieu! 

Paul Bakery reopens in Bethesda

Francophiles rejoice: Paul Bakery has reopened at 4760 Bethesda Avenue in the Flats at Bethesda Avenue apartment building. It didn't look good when everything that wasn't nailed down was removed from the bakery and cafe in late May, during the coronavirus lockdown. Masks are required to enter, and there is a limited menu for the time being.

Paul Bakery reopening this morning at Bethesda Row for takeout

Paul Bakery will reopen for business this morning at 4760 Bethesda Avenue, in the Flats at Bethesda Avenue apartment building. Their new hours during the ongoing coronavirus crisis will be 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. No cash payment is being accepted to reduce the health risk to employees and customers. All orders will be takeout-only. You may place orders in person, or by calling ahead to 301-656-3285.

Paul is also providing free coffee and tea to customers who are either first responders or healthcare workers.

PAUL Bakery opening June 22 in Bethesda. But -shh!- you might want to stop by sooner... (Photos)

PAUL, the long-awaited French bakery and café at 4760 Bethesda Avenue, will officially open on Monday, June 22. But if you just can't wait for that, my hint to you is to stop by anytime between now and Monday, and you might just get in - and maybe even get something for free. That's because they are training the employees, and holding "soft opening" hours that will vary prior to the opening on Monday. Depending what they are working on, you might have to pay, or you might get something on-the-house.

PAUL USA CEO Phillipe Sanchez
addresses guests Thursday evening

Phillipe Sanchez, President and CEO of France-based PAUL's US Division, said he was particularly excited about the opening of the Bethesda store. On hand for a private family-and-friends event Thursday at the bakery, Sanchez said his enthusiasm is related to the fact that Bethesda Avenue was the first location chosen by PAUL when it decided to expand to America in 2011. Because the Lot 31 project (including PAUL's home, The Flats at Bethesda Avenue apartments) wouldn't be completed for another four years, PAUL's DC locations opened sooner.

Sanchez chose Bethesda as the
first U.S. location of PAUL
in 2011 - but it took this
long to get the building
it resides in completed - one
of the most complex development
projects in Montgomery County's
history

After thanking the PAUL Bethesda team, Sanchez toasted the impending opening with a flute of Brut Champagne. He noted that the Bethesda store's General Manager Jay Urbano is a veteran of PAUL's now-competitor La Madeleine. Others in attendance included PAUL's worldwide executive chef and baker, and representatives of Bozzuto, the firm that manages The Flats at Bethesda Avenue.

A toast to the opening
of PAUL Bethesda

PAUL will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with initial hours being from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday-Thursday, 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Friday and Saturday, and 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM Sundays.

Sanchez introduces the man in
charge of the kitchen...

...and General Manager
Jay Urbano (center)

With Quiche Lorraine, nos oeufs, and a good cup of coffee, this sounds like the new breakfast spot in downtown Bethesda. Add in a French newspaper - print or on your smartphone or tablet - and once again this part of town provides a staycation escape to Paris. As Sanchez has noted, the bakery recipes here are the same as those you would buy on the Champs-Élysées.

PAUL is in a prime location, as well. It's right near the Capital Crescent Trail exit of the public parking garage beneath it, and right alongside that popular trail for those walking, jogging or biking. The 2000 SF café has space for 60 indoors, and 20 on its outdoor patio. They will also host events and offer catering.

Impressive turtle-shaped
bread

Update on PAUL Bakery construction in Bethesda (Photos)

More signage is up at the soon-to-open PAUL Bakery on Bethesda Avenue. You'll notice a new little sign that sits out for pedestrians to notice while walking past at 4760 Bethesda Avenue. New secondary signage also gives passersby a sense of what Paul is - in French, of course. And there's a sign in the window for those interested in working at the French bakery and café.

PAUL Bakery construction update at The Flats at Bethesda Ave. (Photos)

The first residents of The Flats at Bethesda Avenue were scheduled to move in yesterday, according to a spokesperson for developer StonebridgeCarras, and the first retailers will move in on June 10 (although, as I reported earlier this morning, neighbor Pottery Barn is actually opening this Friday). One can surmise from these new photos that PAUL Bakery is going to be one of the first.

Their permanent sign is now installed, and you can see that furniture is now in place inside the bakery.

First look: Inside the future Paul bakery on Bethesda Avenue (Photos)

Are you ready for a sneak peek inside the long-awaited Paul bakery in the ground floor of the Flats at Bethesda Avenue apartments?

The French bakery and café will open this summer. For those seeking authenticity, Paul was founded in France in 1889. Its first location outside of France was in Barcelona.

The exterior is still under construction, but you can now see where the signs will be posted on the facade. Paul will have the prime location to attract users of the Capital Crescent Trail - who might be able to work off the calories of that macaron or croissant on the way back.