Avalon Cafe and Bakery Lands Downtown in April

The launch of downtown Detroit’s newest Avalon International Breads outpost is right around the corner. The Detroit-based bakery staple confirmed today that the company’s new restaurant spin-off Avalon Cafe and Bakery is poised to open its doors to the public on April 14 at the corner of Woodward and State Street near Campus Martius.

The first location of the restaurant debuted in Ann Arbor in December. Speaking at a press event today at Avalon Bakehouse, CEO Jackie Victor said the Detroit version will be more of a hybrid between the original Cass Corridor cafe and the Ann Arbor establishment with coffee and espresso, baked goods, beer and wine, and a dine-in area. A significant portion for the restaurant will be devoted to grab-and-go items, something Avalon says customers in the downtown area were looking for. A large portion of the goods served at Avalon Cafe and Bakery will be produced in a commissary kitchen at the east side production facility.

Patrons will be able to order and purchase coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and signature pizzas (a first for Avalon) at a walk-up counter. Victor described the space as being “brighter” than other Avalon locations but with a similar feel in terms of die-cut, stainless steel signage.

Courtesy of Avalon

Founded in 1997, Avalon estimates that it supplies some 100 different restaurants and markets daily. The company has also been on an expansion kick over the past few years. In addition to the Ann Arbor restaurant, Avalon added a cafe to its bakehouse last year and expanded to a satellite location inside the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Victor says that there’s more in the works beyond the Detroit restaurant. “You might see some of those smaller concepts later in the year,” she teases.

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• Avalon International Breads Expands to Ann Arbor in This Month [ED]