A new kind of bakery, small, community-based and offering specialty baked goods inspired by the cultures from around the world is coming to Lowertown. The bakery, which according to the owner, Maged Kamal, draws its inspiration mainly from Europe and the Mediterranean traditions. .
Maged, who is taking a break from his normal work in architecture and design, says he is applying the creative process from that background to familiar recipes with interesting results.
Initially, his bakery will start out offering a small assortment of backed goods, as well as coffee, tea. From there he will be expanding into unique cakes, specialty coffees, and gourmet sandwiches.
The bakery will start out operating as sort of a farmer’s market, only open on Saturdays and Sundays. As they get more established, they will expand the rang e of their products as well as their opening hours.
Maged thinks the location at 285 St Patrick fits perfectly with his plans.
“I think it’s an ideal location, being at once on the edge of the market area, as well as close by to several neighbourhoods. It’s within cycling and walking distance from many locations. For those coming from further away, there’s 1-hr free parking in this section of St. Patrick as well as bus routes coming down the street.
He would have preferred to be opening sooner, but unfortunately delays, first due to Covid, then the month-long protest on Parliament Hill, have had an impact on his schedule. However, he hopes to be open by the end of April or early May.
“Beavertails are fine,” he says. “But I believe Ottawa, as a national capital, can – and should offer much more, both to its local citizenry, as well as for visitors from other parts of Canada and abroad. And we hope to play a role in that development.”