Trompeau Bakery closes its bake shop near DU and reopens in loftier -- and much larger -- digs

You could hear the collective wails emanating from the cafeteria at the University of Denver when news came down that Trompeau Bakery, the petite French bake shop at 1729 East Evans Avenue, was shuttering after a decade -- and relocating to a new space that wasn't within walking distance of the classroom.

But Barbara and Pascal Trompeau, who opened the bakery as Cafe Bohemia in 1997, the year that Pascal moved to Denver from France, wanted more -- more square footage, more parking, more, says Barbara, "of what we already have," so they baked their last cookies and croissants, quiches and pies the Saturday before Easter and then waved au revoir to the DU 'hood and took up residence in a new build-out at 2950 South Broadway, which will open to the public tomorrow. "I love the new space," says Barbara. "It feels really good to me, it came out exactly as I pictured it, and we won't be running into each other all the time, which is a good thing."

The new bakery, touting more than 3,000-square-feet of production, dining and counter space, will offer counter service, a grab-and-go case, made-to-order breakfast and lunch croissants, and a patio with 32 seats. "We'll continue to add new things as we go, but we have a good thing going, so while having a brand new place is a pleasure, we're going to take our time introducing new things, doing it little by little," explains Barbara.

A grand opening is set for Saturday, May 21. Meanwhile, the bakery is open from 6.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The hours may change, notes Barbara, depending upon neighborhood demand. "If we're dead, we may close earlier, and if we're really busy, we may stay open later."

Francophiles and habitués enamored with Trompeau's croque-monsieur croissants, macarons, macaroons and madeleines, baguettes, bâtards and boules hope that the hours expand -- not shrink.

For more info, call 303-777-7222.