A new baker is taking over the reins from an acclaimed French bakery off Mount Airy’s Main Street.
GG’s Pastry Shop will move into a one-story building previously occupied by Cle Doree. The new location isbehind the historic fire station building, now home to Cryin’ Johnnie’s and The Upper Deck.
Cle Doree closed two months ago so owners Julia and Leonard Kazanov could focus more on consulting and teaching.
But, they promised to pass on the business to another baker, and GG’s owner, Griselda Guillen, plans to feature “croissants, breads, sourdough, macarons, tarts and so much more,” the town announced on its Facebook page.
Guillen began making cheesecakes for her church about 10 years ago “and branched out into pastries five years ago while working at a restaurant,” the town said. “After working in a kitchen for several years, she wanted to branch out and own her own business. Guillen most enjoys the process of creating her decadent desserts and breads. Sometimes it is a long process, she notes, but once the recipes turn out perfectly and people enjoy eating the sweet treats, it is all worth it. She cooks for the love of pastries. Every item sold will be made from scratch.”
Guillen, whose venture can be found on Instagram at @ggspastryshop, has already begun moving in and said she hopes to open in about a week.
“It’s exciting,” she said, noting she will offer a variety of eclairs, tarts, strawberry-filled croissants and the like, in keeping with the precedent set by Cle Doree.
“It’s going to be very similar,” she said.
Guillen and her husband, Tarsis Delgado, hope to “add as we go,” including offering some Spanish desserts. She is from El Salvador and lives in New Market in Frederick County. “So I kind of go toward Damascus,” she explained.
Guillen previously worked in the kitchen and as a manager at Hornet’s Nest Grille in Damascus.
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GG’s Pastry Shop will be downtown Mount Airy’s latest provider of French desserts. (Courtesy of Griselda Guillen)
Dining and Cooking