According to Seattle Eater, the ownership of Ballard favorite Honoré Artisan Bakery (1413 NW 70th Street) is set to change hands this month.
New owner, Suzanne Rosellini, has confirmed that the purchase is likely to go through tomorrow, June 17, after which she plans to close for a week and reopen on June 25.
Seattle Eater reports that originally, Rosellini planned to open an establishment focused soley on her specialty cakes that she currently makes in her business, Rosellini Sweets.
However, once the opportunity came to purchase Honoré, Rosselini tells Seattle Eater, she shifted her focus. Rossellini is now training with current Honoré owner Franz Gilbertson and plans to retain his staff.
In addition to the regular Honoré favorites, locals should expect the addition of Rosselini’s cakes and possibly other pastries when the establishment reopens under the new ownership. According to Seattle Eater, the goal is for the new items to “coexist harmoniously” with the croissants, quiches, kouign amanns, breads, and other delicacies that bring the crowds to Honoré.
“I like how Franz runs his bakery, I like his baked goods,” Rosellini told Seattle Eater. “I think it’ll be a smooth transition. Hopefully it won’t be too traumatizing for anyone.”
Rosellini is in the middle of a Kickstarter campaign to raise $25,000, which will go towards the essentials of running the bakery for the first few months including funds for rent, payroll, inventory, and more.
“This happened quite a bit faster than I thought it would, which is why I’m behind on everything,” Rosellini told Seattle Eater.
The Kickstarter campaign has various rewards for contributions including cookies, parties and tours of the facility. As of today, Rosellini has raised $15,480 with 11 days remaining on the campaign.
“I know there’s a lot of talk, regulars are scared about what’s going to happen, but I think it’s going to be a nice transition and they’re going to be happy it’s staying in the hands of a neighbor,” Rossellini, a Ballard resident, told Seattle Eater. “It’ll be Honoré and then some.”
