Panera Opens in Macon

- April 20, 2005 in Health -

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Yes, they finally did it: they brought something good to Macon that doesn’t involve the Jesus or huge hunks of slowly cooked flesh. They opened a Panera Bread. I wrote much of my dissertation at the Panera right by USF, so I was thrilled to see they were building one here. (Even this place reminds me of J. G. Ballard and Philip K. Dick for some reason…) They still have my favorite sourdough baguettes and vegetarian black bean soup. The Macon location also offers free Wi-Fi. So I just finished my bagel, I’m sipping on my coffee, and I’m making a blog entry. If I had my digital camera here, I’d take a picture. You gotta love places that make being a mostly-vegan blogging fool a little easier.

7 Comments

  1. Felicia Belle on the April 21, 2005 remarked #

    I’ve never been to one of those before. I really miss the Atlanta Bread Company. Good food and good memories from that place. (Remember after our Jacksonville tripp, Auty??) :) It’s the small things in life like that, eh Jerry?

  2. kip on the April 21, 2005 remarked #

    Okay, I tried to resist, but I cannot. I am happy you got a Panera near you. The bread is good. However, I am very disappointed with this company. It started as St. Louis Bread Company over 15 years ago. In its early years, it produced a great product – bread, sandwiches, soup, baked items – in a great environment. The management was proactive and always assured quality service.

    As the company grew, however, the product started to slide a bit and become more commercial – no longer artisanal. Additionally, the management went to hell in a handbasket. Now it is not much better than any other fast food place, except that it offers more healthy food choices.

    Fortunately, up the street from my office, Companion Bakery has started a lunch/dinner service on its truly artisanal breads with homemade soup, great quiche, etc. It is all that Panera is no longer.

  3. Jhary on the April 21, 2005 remarked #

    I hear you, but you live in a city; I live in Macon. Panera is HUGE. Trust me here. As soon as I get my mixer, I will be into making the good breads, too. For now, I will count Panera as a blessing.

  4. Autumn on the April 21, 2005 remarked #

    Okay, so I do bow to your bread skill & knowledge (truly, I’ve seen and tasted) but come on, Kip — Panera is tasty. Don’t stomp on the magic. ;-)

  5. Autumn on the April 21, 2005 remarked #

    P.S. Of course I remember, Felly. The small things like those tasty little sourdough footballs and good laughs with friends…better than gold. Geez, I sound old. But I did just make a sweet rhyme. ;-)

  6. Kip on the April 22, 2005 remarked #

    I think my comments were influenced by the onset of malaria….. ;-)

  7. Autumn on the April 24, 2005 remarked #

    Ahhh…now it makes sense. Just another unfortunate symptom. ;-)