Popular Brookline Bakery Closes For Renovation

BROOKLINE, MA — A Brookline bakery in the St. Mary's neighborhood near the border with Boston is closing after 36 years in town. But lovers of the traditional Japanese pastries take heart: It's only temporary, according to the owner of Japonaise Bakery.

"After much consideration we have decided to close the store temporarily in order to renovate," Japonaise Bakery posted to its website.

The bakery, like other local mom-and-pop shops in town took a hit amid the pandemic, and moved to a take-out model and then a weekend-only model, before deciding to close.

The shop owner Takeo Sakan (who took over from his mother Hiroko Sakan a few years ago) said if all goes to plan, they will be open by early August.

"This has been a long and hard decision as it is a lot to take on," they said. "However we are determined to provide a better shopping experience for our customers as well as update our kitchen for our staff to enable everyone to work and shop in a more spacious and enjoyable environment."

The bakery is known for its traditional bread, sweet bread, croissants and cookies. It also sells cakes and sandwiches. They also have an espresso bar with Fazenda coffee.