Panera Bread has officially opened in Newton Centre at Linear Retail Properties' 1241 Centre St. location. The 3,750 s/f bakery-cafe opened in November and just recently completed its final cafe renovations. Panera first set its eyes on the Centre St. location in July of 2008, and obtained permission from the Newton aldermen to go forward in December of 2009. The key deal makers included Joel Kadis, partner at Linear Retail Properties (landlord); Gregg Godfrey at Panera Bread, joint venture partner for the Greater Boston area (tenant); Harmon Lewis and Ed Gerwig at National Commercial Brokers (tenant rep); and Lynne Cohen-Friedman at KeyPoint Partners (landlord rep). Vicki Danberg, alderman at large at Newton Board of Aldermen was essential in the permitting and approval process.
The Newton Centre location is Panera Bread's newest prototype store. The location features all of the traditional Panera amenities and products but also offers a three season dining area with a glass wall that will be completely open in the warmer months, an outdoor patio with seating and an indoor-outdoor fireplace. In addition, the 2nd primary entrance (in the rear) is immediately adjacent to two municipal parking lots.
Godfrey said, "We solicited ideas from our design team, local residents and town officials. This cafe has some new features that are unlike any other Panera bakery-cafe in the Greater Boston area."
The menu is highlighted by antibiotic-free chicken, whole grain bread, select organic and all-natural ingredients and a menu with zero grams added trans fat.