Gracious Bakery, a staple of New Orleans’ culinary scene for over 12 years, is now under new ownership. The new owners aim to elevate the bakery’s offerings and expand its presence in the local market. Currently, Gracious Bakery operates two café locations: one in the Lower Garden District on Saint Charles Avenue and another Uptown on Prytania Street. Additionally, the bakery boasts a commercial kitchen on Earhart Boulevard that supplies baked goods to various restaurants and retailers throughout the city.
In a significant development, Gracious Bakery has recently received certification to produce commercial baked goods for large venues, including the Caesars Superdome and Tulane University. New co-owner Justin Callais expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting the bakery’s strong foundation laid by previous owners Jay and Megan Foreman. “I think Jay and Megan have done a fantastic job of building a really great brand with fantastic products and a loyal customer base,” Callais stated. “That attracted us to this acquisition, as well as an opportunity to bring the business to the next chapter.”
Plans for Expansion and New Offerings
Callais outlined a vision for noticeable changes in the café operations under the new ownership. Customers can expect an expanded menu featuring more robust coffee and tea selections, as well as enhanced lunch offerings. The bakery plans to increase its production of seasonal baked goods, aligning with various celebrations and events in New Orleans.
“The chefs and pastry chefs inside of the commissary kitchen, where we make all of our goods, are top-notch and they have a lot of great ideas,” Callais noted. He expressed confidence in the potential to support the culinary team and develop new products that resonate with customers.
Callais emphasized that while his group intends to implement incremental changes, the focus will remain on maintaining the customer experience through next year’s Jazz Fest. After this period, the ownership team will evaluate the next steps and explore additional business opportunities to further enhance Gracious Bakery’s offerings.
As Gracious Bakery embarks on this new chapter, its loyal customers can look forward to an exciting evolution of one of New Orleans’ beloved bakeries. With a commitment to quality and innovation, the new ownership aims to solidify the bakery’s reputation as a cornerstone of the local food scene.
