BRATTLEBORO — For many people, coffee and doughnuts was a common snack a few years ago.
Some would pick up a dozen doughnuts to take home to enjoy with the family and children who, instead of coffee, would have a glass of milk. Pictures of people enjoying coffee and doughnuts can be found in one of Norman Rockwell’s paintings depicting typical Americana. This was indeed an American custom.
However, in recent years, doughnuts further diversified. Muffins and cupcakes made their entrance into the snacking world, and people now have even more choices.
In Brattleboro, the Hornsbys started to produce croissants and baguettes. This little touch of Europe was quickly welcomed by local people. Even supermarkets began to sell croissants and baguettes. It was easy to adopt a flaky croissant for the coffee break. Bakeries like The Dutch Bake Shop and later The Upper Crust and Hammelman’s also expanded their offerings of sweet snacks. But despite all these innovations, doughnuts still had an important place in the American palate.
In recent years, Amy’s Bakery has provided locals with more than croissants and has survived the pandemic. And, as of last year, a new café and bakery is attracting a lot of attention from locals and passersby: The new Fire Arts Bakery and Café is located in the Fire Arts Gallery at 485 W River Road, and their specialty is croissants. Guests can also find a great variety of treats, from plain croissants to almond, chocolate, goat cheese, and herbs, not to mention cinnamon twirls and other puff pastry specialties.
“I come from a long line of bakers,” said Lucy Bergamini, the owner, remarking on Fire Arts Bakery and Café’s origins. “My grandmother was a baker, and so was my mother. They were both great bakers, but they baked only for the family; they never went into business.”
Bergamini studied art and became a glass blower in 1983 and moved from Weston to Brattleboro, where she had a studio at the Fire Arts Gallery. She decided to open a bakery with her partner, Gilles Gerard, who makes the baguettes.
“Gilles was making baguettes, and I was making croissants, and that became the basis for starting the bakery. When we learned that this location was available, we decided to go for it,” Bergamini said.
Fire Arts Bakery and Café is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tea and chai by Sean McGee will also be available. Lucy will offer special sandwiches made to order.
