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Coming to the Central District, Alexandra’s Macarons and Cafe

(Image: Alexandra’s)

Born in a hot pink Volkswagen van turned cookie truck and a familiar part of area farmers markets and coffee shops, Alexandra’s Macarons and Cafe is joining the community at 18th and Union.

“I feel really honored to be stepping into that place,” Alexandra Greenwald tells CHS, “Especially in these times of COVID and the social justice movements.”

Greenwald’s new cafe will be filling the space left empty by the closure of Tougo Coffee and giving the coffee shop owner Brian Wells a successful exit as he sells the business to Greenwald and focuses on his other ventures including his Yesler cafe.

(Image: Alexandra’s)

After growing her business from the VW van into a commercial kitchen operation in Ballard over the past seven years, Greenwald says the cafe represents a big step in her dreams to create a place that showcases her cookies but also ventures into more savory territory.

As for the macaron, Greenwald said she started experimenting with the form at a young age.

“I started making them when I was 12,” she said. “They looked terrible. But I loved how technical they were.”

The “initial crunch, then the softness, and the filling is a whole other level,” Greenwald says. Part of her philosophy is about the care and thought that goes into flavor and pairing the cookie and a filling. The rest is the love for baking in her kitchens. “We all have a passion and love for food,” Greenwald says. “And I think that shines through.”

While she will continue to bake at her Ballard kitchen, the new Alexandra’s cafe will also be set up for baking so expect plenty of fresh creations and some delightful smells.

With plans to complete a quick renovation in the coming weeks, Greenwald says she hopes to be open on 18th Ave by the end of August.

Alexandra’s Macarons and Cafe is planned to open later this summer at 1410 18th Ave. You can learn more at alexandrasmacarons.com.

 

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6 Comments
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C
C
3 years ago

If a coffee shop can’t survive here why will a cookie shop? Ugh.

joanna
3 years ago
Reply to  C

I am not sure it was about the coffee shop not being able to survive. Perhaps is was more about the owners resources to concentrate on both locations and whatever his other ventures are.

Xavier
Xavier
3 years ago
Reply to  C

If they’re as good as Hello Robin Cookies they have a chance.

louise
louise
3 years ago
Reply to  C

😂 Especially a macaroon shop.

L
L
3 years ago

Brian’s business didn’t survive here because he abused his workers for years (many women) and created a poor reputation for himself, I wouldn’t call that “a successful exit.”

CD Balooka
CD Balooka
3 years ago
Reply to  L

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼