A Slice of Paris in the Heart of Nashville: Paris Baguette to Open Its Doors in Late 2024

A Sweet Childhood Memory Brings a Unique Flavor to Music City

Nashville, a city famous for its thriving music scene and southern charm, is now set to welcome a sweet addition to its flourishing food scene. Sisters Hanna Chen and Kate Lee, originally from South Korea, are bringing the globally recognized South Korean bakery chain, Paris Baguette, to the heart of Nashville. Scheduled for a grand opening in late 2024, this will mark the first-ever Paris Baguette outlet in Tennessee.

Introducing A Taste of South Korea to Nashville

As children, Chen and Lee had countless fond memories tied to Paris Baguette, a bakery they would visit regularly with their parents for a delightful array of fresh bread and pastries. The sisters described how their childhood was enriched with pastries and cakes from the illustrious bakery. Recollecting how the freshness of the daily baked goods was a standout characteristic, the duo decided to introduce their childhood favourite to their new home in Tennessee. What began as their childhood indulgence is set to become a cherished experience for Nashville residents in the near future.

From Automotive Manufacturing to the Hospitality Industry

The sisters, initially settled in Alabama, made a particularly bold transition from working in an automotive manufacturing company to venturing into the hospitality sector. Hanna Chen’s husband, Eric, who happened to be immersed in the restaurant industry, played an instrumental role in this inspiring career switch. Characterized by extensive traveling and learning from different restaurants, their preparation to enter the hospitality industry was thorough and adventurous. They later seized an opportunity to establish a restaurant in the thriving Nashville market, which turned out to be a remarkably successful venture. They bravely started their first restaurant, I Love Sushi, an Alabama-based Japanese cuisine joint, amid the pandemic in fall 2020, in the bustling neighbourhood of Midtown Nashville.

The Inception of a Unique Idea

The sisters acknowledged their employees’ constant travels to cities such as Atlanta and New York for bulk pastry orders from Paris Baguette. This observation sparked the realization that something integral was missing from the Nashville food scene, an authentic Paris Baguette bakery. Chen then recruited her sister to join forces and share the responsibility of introducing the time-honored Paris Baguette to music city.

Bringing an International Bakery Giant to Nashville

Paris Baguette, first established in Seoul in 1988, has left a commendable footprint in the baked goods industry in South Korea before expanding to other parts of the world. As of 2005, this leading bakery chain found home in the United States, starting in Los Angeles and gradually dominating cities like Chicago, New York, Las Vegas, and Atlanta. In total, there are now more than 4,000 outlets worldwide, with each bakery faithfully representing the essence of Paris Baguette.

Indulging in the Goodness of Paris Baguette

The bakery, famed for its fresh-baked breads, scrumptious cakes, and elegant pastries, is set to attract food lovers with its delightful array that features everything from brioche rolls, croissants, and the signature baguettes to custardy egg tarts, flaky feuillete au chocolat, and sugar-coated mochi donuts. Enclosed behind glass shelves, each offering invites customers to surrender to its irresistibly sweet charm. Patrons can also expect a series of seasonal cakes, a distinctive practice at Paris Baguette. Chen and Lee, for one, are particularly excited about including their childhood favorite cake – a delicate vanilla creation layered with soft cream and fresh berries – in the lineup.

Nashville’s Paris Baguette: A Community Staple in The Making

Located on Church Street between the Gulch and Capitol View, the much-anticipated Paris Baguette is anticipated to open in late summer or early fall 2024. The sisters firmly believe that their new venture will not only be an integral part of Nashville’s thriving food scene but also serve as a community staple by engaging in various community-centered initiatives, including donations and providing both full and part-time employment opportunities.