Sunnyland Area Welcomes Avenue Bread

Wendy DeFreest, left, assists customer at James St. Avenue Bread in Bellingham.

Avenue Bread co-owner Wendy DeFreest won't be having a grand opening at their new James Street location, it's just been too busy.

"We wanted a soft opening so we could figure out kitchen flow, and now that things are running smoothly, business has definitely caught up to us," said DeFreest.

Wendy, and husband John opened their third Avenue Bread location in the former Our House Deli just one month ago, offering their popular breads and pastries, and expanding into full breakfasts and hot sandwiches utilizing the equipment and larger kitchen already in place. Open daily at 7:00 am, they serve breakfast until 11:00 and lunch until 4:00 pm daily. DeFreest says they plan eventually to extend into later hours.

Hot on the menu are the omelettes, from traditional to the "Sunnyland", featuring mushrooms, caramelized onions, roasted garlic and spinach, along with grilled burgers, sandwiches, salads and soups. "The eggs benedict on the rosemary english muffin, is hugely popular", said DeFreest.

The new 4500 square foot restaurant is seeing both local neighborhood traffic and workers who drive across town for lunch. Although they don't officially cater, they do deliver group lunches.  For fast orders during the lunch hour, calling ahead is recommended for eating in or take out.

Business did not drop in either of their other locations with the addition of a third. The downtown Avenue Bread has more than doubled in sales in the past two years and Fairhaven is doing well.  The challenge now?

"Well, the price of flour," said DeFreest.  "But we're dealing with it."

For more information, call Avenue Bread at (360) 715-3354, Extension 3. Visit Avenue Bread at 2301 James Street or visit www.avenuebread.com