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Though plans have been delayed a bit, a new bakery with some vegan and gluten-free options from a well-known name is on the way soon. After a year of planning, Flora Bakehouse — an offshoot of the celebrated vegetarian restaurant Cafe Flora — is planning to open in Beacon Hill this January, after its spring debut was nixed due to the pandemic.
On the menu will be a selection of baked goods, such as vegan cinnamon rolls, kabocha squash croissants, and hummingbird muffins, as well as some breakfast sandwiches and a full menu of coffee drinks, including a lavender oat milk latte. Owner Nat Stratton-Clarke tells Eater Seattle that the shop will open for takeout at first, then gradually add outdoor seating on its rooftop garden when the weather gets warmer in the spring. There will also be no-contact payment options.
“We were already going to have a counter service model, so basically we just needed to change seating plans,” says Stratton-Clarke, adding that the kitchen is spacious, but the bakery will also stagger shifts to ensure social distancing for workers.
Whenever the bakehouse does arrive, it should be a significant step for the Madison Valley-based operation in a difficult time for all small businesses. Though the original Cafe Flora is still holding things down in Madison Valley with its seasonal vegetarian places, Sea-Tac airport spinoff Floret has seen a dip in sales due to the lack of travelers over the past seven months. This new spot will expand the franchise’s imprint, while giving Cafe Flora a home base for its well-regarded desserts.
