Little Blue Bakehouse is coming in early summer to Southeast Raleigh.
The idea: A coffee cafe and bakery retail experience will be open to the community. A membership-based commercial kitchen tailored to bakers will take up the other portion of the 3,000-square-foot space.
Behind the idea: Raleigh natives and married couple Allison and Carl Vick. You may know the two from Little Blue Macaron, found in local coffee and boba shops or markets.
Allison is especially known for her custom macaron work, painting themes or characters on the delicate cookie sandwich.
She started Little Blue Macaron after the two moved back from Austin, where she worked as a pastry chef. Carl quit his job to support the business two years ago.
What to expect: The vibe will feel like a coffee shop and bakery, with tables, chairs and WiFi. A window will give patrons a view into workings of the commercial kitchen, where you might spot Allison creating macarons.
Four local baking businesses will each have a footprint in the retail space.
Why it matters for the industry: Many shared commercial kitchens, like the one the Vicks work out of now, are built more for businesses like food trucks than bakers, Allison said.
The membership model will give bakers access to shared equipment that only other bakers are using, large appliances like mixers and ovens.
Why Southeast Raleigh: The Vicks live in Southeast Raleigh and look forward to a bike-friendly commute. Its proximity to downtown and walkability from Enloe High School is another benefit for for the Broughton High School alums.
The business will be a few doors down from the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, coincidentally one of Allison and Carl’s favorite places they frequented in Texas, and other local businesses like Frank’s Pizza.
The Vicks hope their opening is a catalyst for other businesses move in to remaining empty storefronts.
“I feel like we’re the new mom and pop business,” Allison, a mother of two, said.
Find it: Coming in summer to 2116-H New Bern Avenue in Raleigh.
Learn more: littlebluebakehouse.com, @littlebluebakehousenc.
