82 BUR WEL L ST
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TH E L AD I ES W H O LO A F :
LITTLE PARIS BREAD CO WORDS BY DANI KUEPFER; PHOTOS BY CHRIS TIESSEN A short stroll from the heart of picturesque
Dominating the opposite wall is a handsome
downtown Paris, the Little Paris Bread Co
roll-up garage door through which I can see a
is tucked into an historic brick building, its
display of a dozen vintage racing motorcycles
striped awning and – weather permitting – its
in the neighbouring business’ sprawling,
punchy yellow patio sets out front offering a
agreeable, open-concept work space.
playful nod to European bistros. The warm and comforting vibe of the shop is airy and
Little Paris owner April Vande Leygraaf and
nostalgic, instantly, I want to say, taking
her all-women team (aptly named ‘The Ladies
me back to my grandmother’s farmhouse
Who Loaf’) have been working exclusively with
kitchen. Then again, this is definitely not my
sourdough for several years. I don't need to
grandmother’s kitchen. Front and centre
remind anyone that when the bakery opened
is a mod curved bar. Behind it, retro floral
its doors in September 2020, sourdough was
curtains skirt a counter that is absolutely
undoubtedly having a moment. In fact, if
packed with tantalizing sticky, gold pastries.
you’re like me, you probably tried your hand
On the back wall above the counter, crusty
at a starter last March and, quickly deciding
loaves are piled high on wooden dowels in
that some things are best left to the experts,
a compelling geometric pattern that allows
opted for a less time-intensive form of self-
each loaf its own solo performance.
