The ovens were warm and the coffee flowing as Ferguson Plarre Bakehouse launched its flagship store Chadstone bakehouse, forming part of the brand’s multi-million dollar refurbishment.

The Melbourne-based business has been a fixture in the Chadstone shopping landscape for more than 20 years, however, the time had come for the space to adopt a few modern design trends.

Combining timber veneers, marble, solid wood, parquetry floors and designer lighting, the store now represents the brand’s efforts to stay in touch with changing consumer expectations, while acknowledging its early European roots.

The 115-year-old family-owned business had been planning the renovation for 12 months, with chief executive officer Steve Plarre saying the alfresco-style Chadstone bakehouse channels German and French street-side bakeries inside a shopping centre.

“We are incredibly proud of our history and this flagship store is a chance for us to pay tribute to it, while giving our customers an authentic bakery

experience – one we are confident they will eagerly come back for time and time again,” Steve says.

“Our new Chadstone Bakehouse demonstrates our commitment to instore ambience and our understanding of the impact this has on our customer’s experience in the store.”

The Chadstone business has also introduced specialist baristas to the offering, which Steve says is mandatory in the coffee-loving city of Melbourne.