Cafe, bakery will open in February on Central

ST. PETERSBURG -- A French cafe and bakery will open in the Central Avenue spot where the Tamarind Tree recently closed.

Antoine Louro, owner of the French Chateau on Fourth Avenue NE, is opening Bonjour Cafe and Bakery for breakfast and lunch seven days a week. He said the cafe should be in operation at the beginning of February, after he renovates the kitchen.

"We will bake bread and cakes and croissants," Louro said. "It will be a beautiful, casual French place."

The Tamarind Tree, which concentrated on vegetarian dishes, closed Dec. 15. Owner Walter Lambert went out of business at 537 Central Ave. after seven years because of increasing rent and a loss in business.

The French Chateau at 136 Fourth Ave. NE, is open for dinner. Louro said many of the 24 workers there asked him for help finding work in eating places in the mornings or at lunch to supplement their incomes. He said he told them if he ever found the right spot, he would open such a place himself.

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