French Bakery Brings Melt-In-Your-Mouth Croissants To Newtown

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — A mouth-watering taste of France has arrived in the heart of Newtown Borough with the opening of Mamie Colette.

The brand new artisan bakery specializing in French viennoiserie opened for business on Nov. 8 next to the Fine Wine and Good Spirits store in Newtown Borough.

And its home-baked, flaky, buttery, melt-in-your-mouth croissants are not to be missed.

The bakery is operated by French-born Chef Magali and her sidekick in life and in business, Isabelle. While Isabelle operates the business side, Chef Magali is in charge of the kitchen and making the bakery’s signature croissants.

The freshly-baked croissants are made from scratch on premises by Magali who learned the
art of baking from her grandmother, Mamie Colette, whose name and picture now grace the new business.

“One of the reasons why we decided to open this business is to spread happiness,” said Isabelle, who radiates with warmth and friendship as she greets customers walking in the door. “We’re creating this business because good food brings joy and happiness.

“Both Meg and I grew up in Southern Europe where food is more than nourishment. It’s a social event. It’s pleasure. It’s about community. That’s what we’re hoping to bring to Newtown. It’s more than just a good product and nourishment. It brings happiness and community.”

The menu is bursting with sweet and savory varieties of croissants including plain, fruit jam filled, almond, almond chocolate, bittersweet, nutella, cranberry, and crème and apricots in addition to ham and cheese, cheese and spinach and cheese offerings.

Complementing the croissants is a selection of coffee, tea, and soft drinks.

All baked goods are made from scratch, in the on premises bakery, using only the highest quality ingredients. Its baked goods all contain milk, eggs, and wheat flour.

Isabelle was born in the beautiful coastal region of Bretagne (Brittany), France, from a Mallorquin Spanish mother and a Breton French father.

With a multicultural heritage and upbringing, Isabelle developed a passion for travel, the discovery of different cultures and foods at a young age. Her professional life has taken her towards the creation and development of businesses that make a difference in people’s lives.

Her role at Mamie Colette is to help drive the mission, and of course to be the food taster for quality control and innovation purposes.

Magali was born in Chartres, France, which is about 50 miles southwest of Paris. It’s well known for its magnificent medieval downtown and Roman Catholic cathedral.

In addition to Mamie Colette, the long and rich history of Chartres was an important source of inspiration for Chef Magali. It helped her realize the meaning of artisan work, and the history behind the know-how and knowledge required to become an artisan chef.

While working for several bakeries in France, the Netherlands, and in New Jersey, baking both bread and viennoiserie products, Chef Magali developed a passion for croissant dough. She’s now made it her signature and the main component of all her creation.

The new bakery is named in loving memory of Chef Magali’s grandmother.

“When my Mamie (grandma in French) Colette left the French Caribbean island of Guadeloupe with her six young children to relocate to Chartres, France, she had no idea what life would bring them. She wanted to give them a better life, so she packed their tropical weather clothes and hopped on a boat for a three-week long journey.”

In France, they found snow, and Mamie Colette walked everywhere in her sandals to find work in order to feed and clothe her children. She taught her children the values of hard work, perseverance and kindness.

"She encouraged all my life choices, she helped me learn from my mistakes, but perhaps the best gift she gave me was teaching me how to bake," said Magali. “Mamie Colette planted the seed for my passion for baking good foods that make my corner of the world a little bit happier. This bakery is lovingly dedicated to my Mamie Colette.”

Initially the Yardley residents had looked for a location in the Yardley area for their new bakery, but they couldn’t find the right location.

“Newtown is not far from Yardley,” said Isabelle. “It’s very quaint. It’s beautiful and it’s expanding. And there is no bakery like us, which is incredible for a town this size and a restaurant scene that’s very developed. It was the perfect place.”

It was also a good match for developer Allan Smith who is looking to create a European-style neighborhood with his Steeple View redevelopment project, which will eventually include the construction of an outdoor piazza and a walkway along the Newtown Creek.

“His vision is to create a place where people can walk around outside, eat something really good and spend time by the fountain on the piazza,” said Isabelle. “A culinary establishment is exactly what he was looking for. We loved the place. He loved the idea that we would be selling croissants. It was just perfect.”

Hours at Mamie Colette are Tuesday to Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The bakery is closed on Monday. Croissants lovers are encouraged to arrive early for the best selection.

EDITOR'S NOTE: I would highly recommend a visit to Mamie Colette. Not only are the two owners wonderful people, their croissants are heavenly. I would highly recommend the croissant filled with raspberry jam! It's sweet and it's delicious. The chocolate and apricot croissants are on my list for my next visit. I do have one piece of advice. Arrive early for the best selection. I would suggest before 9 a.m.