Bonjour and welcome to the imaginative world of Amélie’s French Bakery and Café, where the expression ‘YUMM’ is a noticeable design theme, playfully sprinkled about the interior. Why ‘YUMM,’ you may ask? Because that is exactly what customers say after every savory bite of the freshly prepared food or sipping on one of the flavorful beverage offerings.
“We feel YUMM is the perfect word to describe Amélie’s,” explained Brenda Ische, Partner and Designer for Amélie’s. “Heavenly aromas greet customers as they enter the front doors, as their eyes drift upward toward a quirky chandelier made entirely of miniature pots and pans, with portraits of King Louis and Marie Antoinette looking on. The crowning glory is our bakery display case filled with artistic and delicious French pastries. Be it taste, sight or smell, we strive to be a feast for the senses – we want customers to leave saying, YUMM.”
Founded in 2008, Amélie’s is a quaint French bakery where the small whimsical details create a memorable experience for customers. Pastries are handmade in classic French fashion and its beverages are precisely handcrafted. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, menu offerings incorporate seasonal, fresh and sometimes out-of-the-ordinary ingredients such as violet simple syrup, pepper berries, rosewater, elderflower and gardenia sweetener.
Charlotte-based Amélie’s operates four cafes in the Charlotte metro market, and one in Atlanta's Midtown district. This past June, the brand expanded into Regency Centers’ recently redeveloped Carmel Commons shopping center. The bakery resides within a 5,000 SF end cap suite, coupled with a covered patio space that enhances the unique interior space.
“Renovating Carmel Commons provided us an opportunity to fill the west end cap with a concept to complement The Fresh Market as well as engage other dynamic prospects,” said Paul Muñana, Senior Manager Investments for Regency Centers. "Working as a team, property management, construction and leasing improved the storefront, added a fantastic patio, and enhanced its visibility by raising the sign band and upgrading the landscape. At the end of the day, we attracted one of the area's trendiest concepts, Amélie’s, whose customers now have an inviting and creative space to enjoy themselves, unique within the Charlotte market."
Menu items range from savory to sweet. Relish over a slice of quiche and the soup de jour or indulge on a pecan sticky bun or seasonal fruit danish. Amélie’s noteworthy French desserts include layered tortes, flaky napoleons, macarons, petit gâteau and mini tarts.
Since 2010, the café has found itself on Charlotte Magazine’s Best of the Best List for best dessert, best bakery and best-baked goods. Last July, The Daily Meal recognized Amélie’s as fourth on its list of Top Ten Best French Bakeries in America. Recently, Buzzfeed.com included Amélie’s on its bucket list of 23 Bakeries Around The World You Need To Eat At Before You Die.
In addition to a full menu of espresso drinks, locally roasted and freshly brewed Magnolia Coffee Co. coffee, teas, limited edition beverages and specialty French sodas, the Carmel Commons location also offers a selection of beer and wine.
The exclusive Magnolia Coffee Co. roasts are available for in-café purchase, along with a line of merchandise that includes t-shirts, mugs, magnets and stationary.
If you're in the market, it’s definitely time to check out Amélie’s at Carmel Commons {even the décor says it's time!} For more details, explore their Facebook page or show your creative side by tagging Amélie’s on Instagram, who was named no. 14 out of 20 on Refinery29’s list of the most Instagrammed bakeries in America, #YUMM.
Au revoir!