LYNN — A new Lynn bakery wants to put an American twist on French pastries and desserts.
Linda Ibrahim, 31, plans to open Ivory Pot Bakery on Saturday in the former D’Amici’s Eastern Avenue location.
Lynn will be the second Ivory Pot Bakery location for Ibraham, who opened her Woburn branch about two years ago.
When looking for a second location, Ibraham said she found that although the French-style crepes, carrot cake and waffles that she specializes in are readily available in Boston, the North Shore was lacking in that particular cuisine.
She anticipates her decision to put an American twist on traditional French food will also serve as an advantage when it comes to building a customer base.
“We didn’t want to do just a pure french bakery, (with) just selling french stuff,” said Ibrahim. “People may not like it. French is not the same menu as the one in the U.S.”
Ibrahim, a North Reading resident, said she was attracted to Lynn because it provided her a chance to open a storefront location. In Woburn, her bakery is located in an office park, which means potential customers are more likely to come across her business online than on the street.
Ivory Pot Bakery was birthed out of Ibraham’s desire to bring high quality French pastries and desserts and to cater African cuisine to Boston and the Greater Boston area, according to the bakery’s website.
Although Ibraham grew up in France, she was born in Ivory Coast, West Africa, which served as the inspiration for her bakery’s name. She also owned a bakery in Nigeria for four years before returning to the states to pursue her master’s degree at Northeastern University.
Ibrahim studied international relations at Northeastern, but ultimately decided to return to her passion.
“I’ve always loved baking,” she said. “I started baking when I was 7. This is all I ever wanted to do.”
In addition to pastries and desserts, Ivory Pot Bakery will have a lunch menu with paninis, quiches and desserts. But since the bakery will open late in the morning, there will not be a breakfast menu.
Ibrahim said the coronavirus has presented some challenges to her getting her business off the ground in Lynn, which has resulted in having to eliminate seating and operate with temporary shortened hours.
On Saturday, the bakery, located at 500 Eastern Ave., will be open from noon to 6 p.m. for its opening. But going forward, hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. six days a week. Ivory Pot will be closed on Mondays.
Ibrahim, who plans to employ five people, said her team is excited to get started. She officially secured her new location on July 8 and has been busy making renovations to the space, which has been vacant since D’Amici’s closed last November.
“We’re just excited to open in Lynn and we are just waiting to see people on Saturday,” said Ibrahim.
