After nearly six months of planning, hearings and reconstruction, the new Crema Artisan Bakery, the latest culinary venture of entrepreneur Tarit Tanjasiri, at 322 Main St., is scheduled to open the week of Aug. 1. After a delayed and then hotly supported public hearing, Tanjasiri was granted his conditional use permit on June 20.
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For Tanjasiri, baking is not just a business, it is a passion, “I find that making, baking and sharing bread is a thread of culture which binds all of us, in a way like family. I am Thai, and come from a culture of rice, not bread, but something about bread resonates with me, and I believe Seal Beach.”
With offerings, which include boules, baguettes, loaves, pastries, tarts and even petite desserts, the bakery, will be a large expansion of both variety and style of baked goods.
It will not have seating, but will only be available for “grab and go” format.
Those who stay will be able to enjoy al fresco dining in the shared patio between J. Ensemble and Crema Café.
The patio area was actually a bit of a point of contention during the planning commission hearing. Originally requiring 16 new “in-lieu” parking space fees, a whopping $56,000 to open the bakery, the opening of the bakery was a bit in question. Thankfully, due to careful consideration by the planning commission and lots of public support, that number was reduced to $21,000 over seven years, with an initial payment of $3,000 to open.
Tanjasir’s journey included working with world-renowned baker, Didier Rosada, who inspired Tanjasiri to take his passion and make it real. Didier has been such an incredible mentor to me,” Tanjasiri said. “He has provided not only vision, but also technical tools that he has spent years perfecting to help my bakery become what it is. I would invite all of you to come and try our bread. It is special, unique and because of the climate, equipment and recipes that I have truly remarkable.”
Aubry Robinson, who is the bakery manager and a Seal Beach native resident, is thrilled to be part of the bakery.
“I didn’t expect to be managing a bakery when I started with Crema Café, but I am so thankful to be part of it now. I just love working with the bread and dough,” Robinson said.
Currently, many of the breads are available through the Café, and a soft opening is scheduled for the first week of August. Regardless, the fresh smell of baking bread and rising dough is now a permanent addition to Main Street, Seal Beach.
