Amelie’s returns to uptown with a massive new location
The story
In short: more Amélie’s!
Amélie’s French Bakery signed a lease for an 11,000-square-foot bakery and restaurant in the Two Wells Fargo building uptown, according to managing partner Bruce Willette.
It will replace the College Plaza cafeteria.
The facts
-It would be by far the largest Amélie’s location, and would include a production kitchen to supply more area Amélie’s stores.
-Yes, MORE Amélie’s stores. Willette — who founded Salsarita’s and grew it to more than 80 locations before selling it — said this location will lay the foundation for a major expansion of the Amélie’s brand.
-The new uptown location will be open 24 hours a day on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It will also include a beer, wine and coffee bar.
-Amélie’s had an uptown location in the Charlotte Chamber building, but it closed last year. In addition to the original NoDa location, it has stores in Rock Hill and Atlanta.
-The company plans to open its Carmel Commons Shopping Center location soon, and Willette said Amélie’s is in negotiations for a store in the Park Road Shopping Center area.
Going up! Carmel Commons should be open within the next 2 weeks you guys!!!!! #carmelcommons #ameliesCC pic.twitter.com/N1qvOROWN5
— Amélie’s Bakery (@AmeliesBakery) May 9, 2015
They said it
-“Emerging brands grow into national brands. Amélie’s can do that … We’re broadening the brand.” -Managing partner Bruce Willette, who joined Amélie’s last year.
-“I’m going to hang a lot of things from the ceiling. I do hope to turn it into a real conversation piece.” -Amélie’s partner Brenda Ische. Other Amelie’s locations prominently feature her chandeliers.
Salted caramel brownies from @AmeliesBakery about to take over the world! http://t.co/oTKFHie2is pic.twitter.com/A3CBLc4kj5
— Ann Doss Helms (@anndosshelms) May 12, 2015
That’s a world we are OK living in.
Photo: T. Ortega Gaines/Charlotte Observer; Laura Chase-McGehee/Charlotte Observer
This story was originally published May 13, 2015 at 1:16 AM with the headline "Amelie’s returns to uptown with a massive new location."