City's first Panera Bread opens
| Monday, Jan 11 2010 02:36 PM
Last Updated Monday, Jan 11 2010 02:36 PM
Bakersfield's first Panera Bread bakery-cafe opened to booming business at Shops at River Walk on Saturday.
Darlene Mohlke, spokeswoman for the shopping center's developer, Castle & Cooke, said the bakery-cafe is already attracting crowds of customers eager to try Panera's made-on-location bread as well as its made-to-order sandwiches, salads and soups served in bread bowls.
"I went by today and it was just jam-packed," Mohlke said Monday.
Panera is located in a stand-alone building near the Target store at the shopping center on Stockdale Highway. Hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Courtney Morais, assistant manager at the new location, said curious customers "just keep coming in."
The reaction from customers has been friendly and positive, she said, with countless individuals making a point of saying how pleased they are that Panera has come to Bakersfield.
People are trying "everything and anything" on the menu, Morais added, including pastries, breakfast sandwiches and drip or espresso-based coffees in the morning hours.
According to its website, Richmond Heights, Mo.-based Panera Bread operates more than 1,275 company and franchise locations in 40 states and Canada.
