Since Frédéric and Kate Bressand first met 19 years ago in New York City, they’ve dreamed about opening a restaurant. 

Now, the co-founders of Fred’s Bread Bakery & Café are bringing authentic French baking to an Evanston storefront. A staple of the Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market, Fred’s Bread opened the doors of its first brick and mortar location at 817 Noyes St. on Wednesday.

Located a block away from the Noyes Purple Line stop, Fred’s Bread is the latest addition to the bustling Noyes business district. Inside, the walls are donned with French-themed decorations, the counter is lined with a variety of viennoiseries, and the shelf behind it is stocked to the brim with the cafe’s namesake: Fred’s bread. 

“Everything is made every day from scratch,” Frédéric Bressand said. “When you see that pastry on there, it takes a lot of steps to get it right.”

Frédéric and Kate Bressand co-founded Fred’s Bread in 2020 and have sold their goods at the farmers market for the past five years. Kate Bressand said the overwhelming support they’ve received at the farmers market motivated them to open a storefront. But it wasn’t an easy journey.

Kate Bressand said the brick and mortar location has been in the works for a year and a half, replacing Good News Laundromat, which shuttered in May 2024 after 50 years of business. She said the transformation from laundromat to French cafe required new flooring and an interior overhaul. 

“I think the community waited on us for a long time to open, so they did come, and it’s been very good,” Frédéric Bressand said.

Frédéric Bressand grew up in Dammarie, France, a small village. He attended culinary school when he was younger, but baking was not his initial path.

After moving with his family to Evanston in 2016, he found himself craving an authentic French baguette. So he started making them, first baking for himself, then for friends and family — and people kept wanting more.

“So we started a business out of it,” Frédéric Bressand said. “And Fred’s Bread was born.”

Frédéric Bressand said he and his wife want to create a space with a French attitude: having more personal connections with customers, hosting baking classes in the evenings and partnering with other local businesses.

Kate Bressand said the first few days of business have been great, and she’s enjoyed seeing many familiar faces from the community. She said she’s grateful for the customers who have supported them over the years.

“We’ve had just an overwhelming reaction and excitement about the space,” she said. “People love the new menu. They love being able to get their Fred’s Bread fix.”

The menu includes soups, salads, sandwiches and tartines — French for an open-faced sandwich — as well as soft drinks, tea and coffee from Evanston’s Reprise Coffee Roasters. The cafe has plenty of tables to sip a coffee or share a meal with friends. 

Kate Bressand said they plan to make changes over time, emphasizing the flexibility of the menu and dining room set-up. She said she’s also looking forward to hosting special events, including pop-up dinners once they finalize their liquor license. 

Fred’s Bread is open six days a week: Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kate Bressand said they will continue to run their stand at the farmers market Saturdays in addition to the storefront.

Residents say the new cafe fills a gap in the Noyes Street business district since Coffee Lab closed in July 2025.

Medill senior Ella Barnes, who lives just around the corner from Fred’s Bread, said she’s been eagerly awaiting its opening. She said the cafe is a great addition to the neighborhood.

Communication senior Oliver Tam gave a shining review of “Le Poulet,” a chicken sandwich on the menu with lettuce, tomato, red onion and housemade mayo served on the signature baguette. Though he’s graduating, Tam said he would like to hang out at a place like Fred’s Bread.

“It feels like a place that has a lot of passion in the making of the food, and it feels like a lot of care has been put into the restaurant itself,” Tam said. 

Running a cafe is certainly no 9-to-5. Frédéric Bressand said he and his wife sometimes get to the cafe as early as 2 a.m. to start preparing for the day. 

“It’s been a long ride because, you know, there’s the fantasy of doing it and the reality,” he said. “It was hard, but we made it.”

Kate Bressand said she hopes Fred’s Bread becomes a destination for everyone in Evanston and beyond. 

“I’m excited for Fred’s Bread to be people’s place, to have usuals, to welcome people by their first names,” Kate Bressand said. “Even if it’s just for a few moments, to have a good experience and have it be a special part of your day.”

For now, Fred’s Bread has just two things to say: “Bienvenue et bon appétit.”

Email: [email protected] 

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