International bakery chain Paris Baguette will open a new location in downtown Evanston at 804 Davis St. next spring. The space was previously occupied by Clarke’s Off Campus, which closed in winter 2023.
Based in South Korea, Paris Baguette is known for offering a mix of French- and Korean-inspired pastries, cakes, and beverages. Popular menu items include blueberry yogurt cakes, ham and cheese pastries, and kkwabaegi, a twisted, sugar-coated donut that is a favorite in South Korea.
With over 4,000 locations worldwide and more than 180 in North America, Paris Baguette is a well-established brand. Daniel Kelch, the building’s owner, visited locations in Glenview and Chicago before deciding to bring the bakery to Evanston. He said the brand’s distinctive blue tiles and open seating area create an inviting atmosphere.
“They carry an energy that I find appealing,” Kelch said. “It’s a French-themed look, and the way they present their products is both attractive and interactive.”
Kelch also noted that the bakery’s Asian influence is a key feature that sets it apart from other businesses in the area. He recalled when he first opened restaurants in Evanston more than 30 years ago, there were only a few places offering Asian cuisine. Now, he says, there are many options.
At Paris Baguette, customers don’t order at the counter. Instead, they take a tray and tongs, browse rows of freshly baked goods, and select items at their own pace. Afterward, they can either take their selections to-go or enjoy them in-store.
Maya Palacios, a Communication sophomore at Northwestern, has visited Paris Baguette locations in Los Angeles and appreciates the relaxed shopping experience. “For a lot of Asian bakeries, it’s less transactional,” she said. “You can take your time, admire the display, and enjoy the experience.”
Palacios recommended the strawberry croissant and any bread filled with sweet cream. The bakery offers various filled buns, including chocolate, custard, and red bean.
However, Palacios and some friends have expressed concerns about the bakery’s past controversy. In October 2022, a Paris Baguette employee in South Korea died after being crushed by a mixing machine. The incident led to a boycott of the bakery and its parent company, SPC Group, in South Korea. Palacios said she was aware of the boycott through a friend.
Kelch, who also owns several other restaurants in downtown Evanston, including LuLu’s and Taco Diablo, mentioned that high inflation and labor costs are making full-service restaurants more difficult to maintain. As a result, more businesses are shifting to quick-service models, which require fewer employees and smaller spaces. He noted that cafes, like Paris Baguette, typically require only about 1,200 square feet and tend to have lower rent costs than larger restaurants.
“Coffee is a relatively low-cost item to produce, and that makes it a popular choice for new businesses,” Kelch explained. “In Evanston, we have a lot of cafes and bakeries, so people have plenty of options to choose from.”
Longtime Evanston residents Barbara Ganan and Harriet Simon said they often visit Bennison’s Bakery but are excited to try new spots. “The more, the better,” Simon said. “Evanston is a diverse community, and people love to try new things.”
Ganan added that she prefers bakeries that engage with the community. For example, she pointed out that Bennison’s Bakery sold cookies with the faces of 2024 presidential candidates on Election Day.
Kelch confirmed that the franchisee and architect for the new Paris Baguette location have already submitted build-out plans to the city. Once the city approves the plans, construction is expected to begin, although it may take several months.
“The more activity we have on the street, the more we can attract people from beyond our downtown residents and Northwestern students,” Kelch said. “People will come from neighboring suburbs to experience places that offer something special.”
Related Topics: