Pandemic A Speed Bump In Medford Bakery's Road To Opening

MEDFORD, MA — It was a question Nathalie and Franck Beddiar heard often: "When are you going to open?"

The couple, both natives of France, had been trying to open Colette Bakery in Medford for three years. Renovations kept pushing the opening date back. And still, people were dropping by their Main Street storefront, asking that dreaded question.

"Finally, when we were ready, it was the COVID," Nathalie Beddiar told Patch.

Colette opened April 18, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic's stranglehold on the restaurant industry. The Beddiars couldn't wait any longer, even if it meant offering a limited stock to customers who wouldn't be able to sit down with a croissant and cup of coffee.

"We decided to open even if it wasn't a good time," Beddiar said.

The gamble paid off. The support from the community has been "incredible," said Beddiar.

"I've never seen that in my life," she told Patch. "The people there are so nice, you can feel there's a strong community here. I love it."

A typical order these days is a croissant, cinnamon brioche, lemon tart or bread loaf. Once the state opens back up, and the bakery can start letting customers in, the couple plans to expand their menu.

Given the reception so far, Medford residents might also have earned some new neighbors: "I'm sure I'm going to live in Medford as soon as I can," Beddiar said.

Colette Bakery is located at 509 Main St. in Medford.