Panera Bread Bakery-Cafe coming to Los Altos Village

 Long Beach's first...

Panera Bread Bakery-Cafe coming to Los Altos Village

The first Long Beach Panera Bread Bakery-Cafe is coming to Los Altos Village.  The new location, complete with a brand new patio will be taking over the former Payless Shoe Store space at 2280 N. Bellflower Blvd in the North Los Altos Center.

Former Payless Shoes being remodeled into a Panera Cafe 

The plans for a Panera were discovered by local social media sleuths. Neighborhood curiosity was piqued when construction started immediately after the Payless Shoe store closed last week.  When a resident went to the Long Beach Development Services website to check on building permits, the permit for Panera was found and it was posted on social media.

The new Los Altos Village Panera Bakery and Cafe will have a patio in the front of the store on Bellflower Blvd. 

Front of new Panera will be converted into an outside patio 

Sources in Long Beach Development Services confirmed that Panera is currently looking for other areas in Long Beach for stores. The closest Panera restaurants to Long Beach are in Lakewood, Seal Beach and Cerritos. 

Panera long known for its lunch menu has been upgrading choices for breakfast and test marketing new dinner items. In April of this year the chain  expanded its breakfast menu to include a variety of items like a breakfast sandwich and upgraded its coffee offerings to reach a different breakfast customer.  Two years ago Panera was bought by JAB Holdings, a coffee industry giant that also owns Peet's Coffee.

Since its successful breakfast upgrade, new dinner entrees and new vegetable sides are being launched in test markets for heartier late night meals. Currently available after 4:30 pm in Florida and Kentucky markets,  the new dinner items include meatier sandwiches, bowls and flatbread pizzas.  Panera offers delivery through its own drivers.

To view current menu selections CLICK ON PANERA

Two Los Altos Village neighborhood parades

Los Altos Village 4th of July neighborhood parades

Communities across America celebrate the 4th of July with local parades of neighbors and their children.  But not many can boast of TWO community bike parades.

Two neighborhood bike/scooter 4th of July parades will march around the Los Altos Village neighborhoods on Thursday morning to start off the 4th of July.

Starting at 9:00 am, the East Side of Los Altos Village will be strolling and biking (many with their pets) around North Whaley Park.

Neighbors will meet at the corner of San Anseline and Los Santos before the 9 am start time.

Across Bellflower Blvd. on the West Side of Los Altos Village a bike neighbors will meet at the corner of Montair and Garford at 10 am to decorate for the "10:30-ish" start of the years running neighborhood bike parade.

Whether you parade or don't parade - have a great Independence Day!