Sharon Business Spotlight: French Memories Bakery

Sharon bakery French Memories is located right in Sharon Center, and features a generous selection of bakery items such as french pastries, breads and has a lunch menu that features specialty soups and sandwiches.

French Memories, Cafe Vanille has four locations in Massachusetts including French Memories in Duxbury which opened in 1989, Cafe Vanille on Beacon Hill opened in 1999, the next Cafe opened in Chesnut Hill Mall in 2001 and the Sweet Memories in Sharon in 2008.

Owners Philippe and Debra Odier came to the area with the intent of opening an authentic French Patisserie. They have received the Best of Boston Award in 2005, 2007, 2009 and again in 2011.

Sharon Patch spoke with Tess Odier, the daughter of Philippe and Debra and asked how it was growing up in a bakery.

Sharon Patch: How long have you been in business?

Tess Odier: My parents opened their first store in Duxbury 24 years ago and the Sharon store has been open for almost five years. We have four stores all together; Duxbury, Boston, Chestnut Hill, and Sharon.

Sharon Patch: What was it like growing up in and around a bakery?

Tess Odier: Oh I loved it! I have two other sisters and we would always ask my mom to bring us to the shop and we would help out with little things around the store (and of course snack on the pastries!). 

Sharon Patch: How did you come to have a pastry named after you?

Tess Odier: My parents made the dessert when I was born, it's called the Tess Morgane (my first and middle name). I always joke around with my sisters saying that I'm the favorite because I'm the only one with a pastry named after me!

Sharon Patch: Do you bake?

Tess Odier: When I was younger I wanted to follow in my dad's footsteps so when I was 14 I started working in the kitchen with the chefs at the bakery and I didn't like it at all. My boyfriend always jokes around with me how my dad is a pastry chef and a really good cook and I can't cook to save my life! Hopefully I'll learn sooner than later!

Sharon Patch: You also feature gifts and jewelry, tell us about that. 

Tess Odier: Yes, we have shelves that display different artists' items from jewelry and little handbags, to mirrors and postcards. They make great gifts and support our local artists! The artists with the exception of a few donate a 10 percent of the proceeds to the community.

For more information contact French Memories at 781-784-0900.