Panera Bread Company officially opens with “baguette breaking” ceremony

Sparta - The Sparta Theatre Center’s first tenant, Panera Bread Company, held a “baguette breaking” ceremony Thursday, April 19, to mark its official opening as the township’s newest eatery. Although the restaurant has been serving up sandwiches, soups, and a variety of bagels, sweet breads, and other goodies for more than two weeks, the event was Panera’s version of a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Representing the company at the ceremony were Mark Brownstein, Chief Operating Officer of the Fenwick Group, LLC, Panera’s mangement company, Scott Chamberlain, District Manger, and Rick Johnson, the manager of the Sparta store. Representing Panera’s marketing group were Jayne Strickland and Lisa Bien. Sparta mayor, Manny Goldberg participated in the baguette breaking and said to Panera’s management team, “Welcome to Sparta’s family.” Rick Johnson said he grew up in Sparta and was thrilled to come back and manage the store. He said, “It’s all about community and I know this Panera will be a part of the Sparta community.” Suzann Schroepfer and Dan Corrigan, the president and vice president of the Sparta Education Foundation, respectively, were present to receive Panera’s donation to the foundation through a Platinum Sponsorship purchase of one of the largest bricks which will be engraved with the company name and logo and will be placed in the “pathway to excellence” that extends around the new theatre center. Brownstein wanted to emphasize the company’s “continuing commitment to and support for educational excellence.” Store hours are, Monday through Thursday 6 a.m. until 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Johnson says that the store will probably be open later on weekends once the movie theatres open.