A beloved Triangle bakery could open a new cafe in downtown Apex
White chocolate baguettes could be on the way to downtown Apex as one of the state’s most popular bakeries has plans for a new location.
Beloved French bakery La Farm looks to continue its expansion with a new restaurant and storefront at 202 S. Salem Street in Apex. The building is a former SunTrust bank branch but has been vacant for the last four years.
La Farm, owned by Lionel and Missy Vatinet, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and is currently in the midst of a major expansion in the Triangle.
When La Farm debuted, it helped make artisan French pastries and breads more accessible in the region. Today it is best known for favorites like white chocolate mini baguettes, its iconic boule and often-changing seasonal pastries.
La Farm Bakery locations
Now the bakery has its main location at Preston Corners in Cary, plus four satellite stores around Wake County. La Farm is nearing completion on its latest bakery and cafe in North Raleigh’s Creekside Crossings Shopping Center.
The bread is also found in Whole Foods and at the State Farmers Market.
Apex La Farm proposed details
The Apex La Farm would be a cafe and retail shop with seating inside and on an outside patio, plus plans for a rooftop deck, according to planning documents submitted to the town. Bread sold at the location would be baked at La Farm’s Preston Corners production bakery.
The Apex Town Council unanimously approved a rezoning request during its September meeting making way for the new La Farm. While the building hasn’t been a bank for several years, it remains intact with its two-lane drive thru.
La Farm plans to redevelop the building and said it was attracted by the building’s drive thru as a pick-up window. The cafe looks to extend the collection of restaurants and bars in the Salem Street corridor, which also includes more than a dozen food and beverage spots within a couple blocks.
The bakery would still need approval for a site plan from Apex’s planning department for its renovations and exterior changes and rooftop deck.
La Farm hasn’t publicly announced the Apex location and CEO Omar Gaye declined to comment for this story. Currently no site plans have been submitted to the town.
During the Aug. 12 Apex Planning Commission meeting, Gaye said La Farm aims to build community through bread.
“We’re very excited about the prospect of joining what I believe is one of the best downtowns,” Gaye said. “We believe in bringing bread and baking bread and really creating community.”
Buzz in the air
While there’s no timetable for when a La Farm restaurant might land in Apex, residents are already buzzing about the possibility of stopping in for pastries and coffees as part of their morning routine.
Since the rezoning approval, Apex Facebook groups have filled up with dozens of comments and hundreds of reactions celebrating the possible addition of La Farm to downtown.
“This is THE best news!! Let’s hope they can get the approval for a roof top area!,” one person wrote in the Apex, NC Facebook group.
This story was originally published October 17, 2024 at 8:28 AM.
