Beloved Ballard Bakery Sold

When you hear that Honoré Artisan Bakery is being sold, your first impulse will be to panic. Don't panic.

Yes, it's true that Honore will change hands this month. New owner Suzanne Rosellini confirms that the purchase should go through June 17, then she plans to close for a week and reopen June 25.

And, yes, it's true that Rosellini originally planned to open a brick and mortar focused entirely on her specialty, cakes — she runs a business called Rosellini Sweets, making cakes for weddings, birthdays, and other special events.

But — and here's why you shouldn't panic — Rosselini tells Eater that when the opportunity came up to purchase Honoré, she shifted gears. Now, she's training with current owner Franz Gilbertson, learning his ways, and retaining his staff. (Gilbertson could not be reached for comment by press time.)

With the turnkey takeover, expect the addition of cakes and possibly other pastries. The goal is for these to coexist harmoniously with the croissants, quiches, kouign amanns, breads, and other goodies fans know and love from the neighborhood business. "I like how Franz runs his bakery, I like his baked goods," Rosellini says. "I think it'll be a smooth transition. Hopefully it won't be too traumatizing for anyone."

Rosellini, who has worked in the front and back of house at such local spots as Café Illiterati, Grand Central Bakery, Dandelion, and Tilth, is in the middle of a Kickstarter campaign to raise $25,000, which she explains would be working capital for her first few months of running the bakery: 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," she says.

[Photo: Rosellini Sweets/Official]

Rewards for pledges start at $25, which would net you a half-dozen cookies (baker's choice) and a free coffee. Higher levels include cakes (of course), parties, and tours of the facility. At press time, Rosellini is just shy of $10,000 with 14 days remaining.

"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," says Rosellini, who lives in the neighborhood. "It'll be Honoré and then some."