The Crafted Scone Opens In Old Town Temecula

TEMECULA, CA—The Crafted Scone is preparing to open in Old Town Temecula. This is the third Crafted Scone bake shop, joining the ones already open at the Promenade Mall and Downtown Murrieta locations.

The new shop, which replaces the former Starbucks, is located at 28459 Old Town Front Street, Suite 115, in the Chaparral Center. It is slated to open by May 4.

Patch was invited to take a peek inside before construction was complete to see what's new, and what's coming for the renovated space.

I arrived at The Crafted Scone's newest storefront to find the door wedged open, construction now finished, and cleanup was underway. Inside, light fixtures gleamed off the quartz counter that owner Amber Judy stood behind.

As we talked, she surveyed what she and her husband have built in this space after three years of waiting and a handful of miracles. She pointed out where the bakery cases would sit and the cabinet doors that would close off the open space. There's a bit more to do, but all is on schedule for an early May opening, she said.

The bake shop is known for its buttery scones in various flavors, as well as an array of coffees and teas.

The Old Town location will be an ideal spot for conversation with cozy touches that create a feeling of warmth and friendship for visitors — as if they've entered the Judy family home.

Each store has a focal point faux fireplace and many places to sit at a table or cozy settee and spend not just a few moments but time in a relaxing environment. Chairs and tables are yet to arrive, but the space is ready to accommodate a large crowd than the other two shops.

Each shop has the same color palette and distinct touches of cottage "coastal chic" decor—a rich, floral wallpaper back the fireplace at the newest location. Mid-construction cleanup, one can imagine the scents of baking scones and brewing coffee filling the space in the not-so-distant future.

By the register station, a hand-placed "welcome mat" spells out Scone Love. Attention to detail matters to her.

"Every time you walk into a Crafted Scone, you get the same experience," she says.

Nothing inside her shop is an accident.

As a baker and business owner, Judy researched what makes a shop like this successful before she opened her first store. She befriended scone bakery owners worldwide, from London to Canada and across the U.S., and traded trade secrets and baking tips. She and her family have pursued and perfected her scone recipe, which is light and airy with just the right amount of crumble. The storefronts all have a similar look, as a franchise would.

That's all by design, she says.

She's had her eye on the Old Town Chaparral Center space for three years since Starbucks announced it was moving to a drive-thru location off Rancho California Road. After meeting and interviewing with the real estate owner, the opening at the Chaparral Center couldn't have come at a better time.

"It really was a miracle," she said. The location gets lots of foot traffic, especially on the weekend, and the bakers are prepared for that.

"We bake all day long," she said, adding that they can call in the troops to bake more on a busy day. The Crafted Scone has a loyal following for its ever-evolving menu. "Now, we are serving Sconewhiches (a scone sandwich) and savory casseroles (we leave nothing to waste!), as well as their best seller, Vanilla Bean, and more."

One of her latest sconewich recipes is "The Cristo," where layers of Black Forest ham and smoked turkey meld with melted Havarti cheese.

A play on the Montecristo, the sconewich is complete with a generous berry jam spread on a traditional cream scone.

Within a week, the baker's cases will be packed with signature recipes of fluffy hot scones and savory casseroles, and the scents of baking bread make you feel like you're at home.

She has hired rotating bakers and staff for the shop but plans on having another hiring fair soon. This week, the ovens awaited installation, and refrigerators were in place. "The Cappucino machine will be installed on Tuesday. We're almost ready to go."

Until the doors open, visit their two other locations: 24630 Washington Avenue in Downtown Murrieta and 41413 Margarita Road inside the Promenade Temecula's Bel Villagio shopping center in Temecula.

Working with the city has been a steady process, as she selected locations that were already established eateries, with primarily cosmetic updates. The Old Town Crafted Scone is scheduled to open by May 4, just in time for the Temecula Rod Run weekend.

"From a freshly baked scone to the warmth of a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, my bakery and coffee shops are more than just a business to me," she said. "They are a source of joy and connection for all who walk through our doors and the greatest gift of life for myself."

Stay tuned for more information on The Crafted Scone's grand opening in Temecula.

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The Crafted Scone Rapidly Becoming A Go-To Breakfast Spot In Temecula