Established in 1999 by baker Lionel Vatinet, La Farm Bakery is a storehouse of bread baking expertise in the model of French boulangeries. Dozens of types of breads and baked goods are offered here including seasonal specials, breakfast pastries, tarts, cakes, and monthly specialties. Vatinet ensures that all the products are fresh, made with the choicest of ingredients, and baked to perfection. Everything is organic and devoid of preservatives and artificial flavors. La Farm offers catering services and baking classes.
Escazu Artisan Chocolates is a “bean to bar”—the chocolate equivalent of “farm to table”—chocolate maker, with a shop and factory in the same location. The shop is notable for its small-scale artisan production, where chocolate beans imported from an organic farm in Venezuela are roasted and grinded on antique machinery using traditional methods. The chocolate here comes in creative blends of flavors, and a variety of thoughtful confections.
DECO Raleigh is a gift shop that features the work of local artisans in pottery, prints, cards, jewelry, textiles and t-shirts. The art deco style sign out front leads to a storehouse of the artisan’s work and more, including postcards, prints, candles and anything one might need to make a unique gift. The store has a parklet out front for prime downtown seating, and hosts art-related events from time to time.