A new French bakery in downtown Thorold is one step closer to opening—but don’t expect to eat any delicious macarons just yet.
Thorold City Hall has finally approved the construction that JC Patissier completed months ago, but it still wants the Front Street business to make a few more changes before they are allowed to open the door to customers.
“When we heard, ‘Okay, you got the permit,’ we got excited: ‘Yes, finally!' " said owner Zahra Anzza, speaking to ThoroldToday. “And when we went to get the permit it was like: ‘We need this, this, and that.' ”
JC Patissier is a pastry shop that specializes in "exotic, authentic and heavenly desserts." As ThoroldToday reported a few weeks ago, the bakery has been trying to open since November.
However, co-owners Anzza and Juan Asenjo say they've been forced to stay closed because the city keeps erecting obstacles that prevent them from getting the necessary business permits.
“Now we have to do all the other stuff that they needed to have in here, all the fixings,” says Anzza. ”Then they’re going to come for the inspection. Then we’re going to be able to open, if everything goes well.”
Among the city's outstanding requirements are work on a grease trap and the installation of a fan to bring outside air directly into the front end of the store.
“Whatever is going to be done it has to be done by somebody who is certified,” says Anzza. “We’re still waiting for them. When you’re waiting for a third party, it’s not in your hands.”
So even though they’re one step closer to opening, there is still no clarity as to when that will be.
“The ball is now in our court,” says Anzza. “We have to do the work, and we’ll go from there. How long it’s going to take to be fixed, we don’t know. Hopefully it’ll be done fast and we’ll open soon."
