A beloved Central Texas bakery and restaurant that closed four years ago after a devastating fire is now set to make its long-awaited comeback.
Texas French Bread in Austin announced on social media that it will have a grand reopening “of the bistro side of our operation very soon y’all.” The beloved neighborhood bakery near the University of Texas at Austin was destroyed in a total-loss fire in January 2022, according to reports by KVUE.
The fire, which left merely a shell of the building, caused about $1.1 million worth of damage to the structure and $500,000 worth of damage to what was inside. A GoFundMe was created for the business to support TFB’s staff, which raised nearly $200,000, surpassing its $100,000 goal.
However, over the past few years, while operating out of its food trailer in a garden space, Texas French Bread has undergone a massive rebuild of a new space in the same spot as its original location. In an Instagram post showing a photo of the newly constructed building, the bakery said it is currently in the process of hiring full-time front-of-house staff.
While the bakery did not reveal an exact reopening date yet, MySA reached out to Texas French Bread for more information.
Texas French Bread’s trailer is located in a garden space near the parking lot of its original location. (Google Maps)
Even before Texas French Bread existed, the building had been a pillar in the West Campus community for decades and was formerly a grocery store, an Italian restaurant, a bookstore and a punk club, per KVUE. TFB moved into the space in 1986, building its reputation as a longtime “old Austin” staple that residents are eager to see come back to life.
Austinites left dozens of well wishes and comments under TFB’s recent post, like Instagram user @austinnichols, who wrote, “This is amazing news! I’m so happy!! In a town where we keep losing all our special places, this is a major win and lights up my heart! I will be there opening day!”
Another user, @kelkins, said, “We could not be more excited! Looks so great inside – a new era while still honoring the original!” and @mcwoodward added, “Can’t wait!”
Find it: 2900 Rio Grande St., Austin, TX 78705
This article originally published at 40-year-old Texas bakery announces awaited revival years after total loss fire.