The Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony at La Baguette Bakery & Catering on September 17. The event was held to celebrate the opening of a new patio area added to the side of the store.

Co-owner Anita Wheeler-Bezy said her vision for the bakery was always a “French feel” and she believes the patio only enhances this. She sees the patio as an opportunity to bring value to the location and to bring life to the downtown area.

“My hope is that people will come to the bakery with friends for a cup of coffee or tea or just an afternoon treat and sit on the patio and just watch the world go by,” Wheeler-Bezy explained of her impetus to build the addition.

Adorning the patio is a “Rae of Sunshine” - a yellow steel sun decoration with the word Rae in the middle. This piece, created by Brian Bachman of Gradie Welding, the contractor for the entire project, is a tribute to Rae Short - a long-time prominent community member and activist who passed away just a few weeks ago. Short was a good friend of Wheeler-Bezy’s and her biggest confidant during this process. When the patio opened, it was dedicated in memory of Short.

The patio will be open year-round pending weather conditions. La Baguette Bakery & Catering, known for its monthly Chef’s Table dinners, hopes to hold one of these events on the patio eventually. But for now, it is Wheeler-Bezy’s hope that passers-by will see people enjoying themselves on the patio and, in turn, want to stop in and see what the bakery is all about.

Learn more by visiting labaguettede.com or by visiting its 323 S Governors Ave location.