Local Bakeries Bring Sweet Treats to Rutherford County, TN
Dessert lovers in Rutherford County have plenty of opportunities to indulge their sweet tooths. Two new bakeries in particular are stirring up the region’s food scene with fresh European flavors and cultural twists. From classic comfort loaves to global delicacies, locals and visitors don’t have to travel far to get a taste of the sweet life.
Paris Baguette
Bruce Lee and his family relocated to Murfreesboro from Orange County, California, in search of a change of pace for their new chapter of life. After two decades in the high-end, rare sneaker market, Lee was ready to pivot toward something more personally meaningful.
He and his wife, who’s originally from Tennessee, always loved pastries, coffee and cafe culture. They were already longtime fans of Paris Baguette, a well-known franchise in California whose stunning cakes they routinely chose for special occasions. So, upon settling in Murfreesboro, they recognized an opportunity to bring something familiar and beloved to Rutherford County.
Opening a Paris Baguette franchise allowed them to build a stable, well-matched business around what they genuinely enjoyed. “It hit all the points we were looking for in a franchise,” Lee says.
Paris Baguette has quickly become a Murfreesboro favorite, thanks in part to a menu that offers more than 100 distinct items baked fresh daily.
Guests can choose from freshly baked loaves, sourdough, baguettes and buttery golden croissants, along with sandwiches and coffee, making it equally suited for a quick breakfast, lunch or afternoon treat. Standout offerings include the indulgent Supreme Croissant – a croissant-doughnut hybrid filled with sweet cream – and pizzettas, a croissant-based take on pizza. The hot dog roll and ham and cheese croissant, baked twice with four cheeses, have emerged as savory guest favorites.
Lee is especially proud of their cakes; a core collection anchors the menu year-round, alongside seasonal selections from spring to fall. There’s truly something special for everyone, no matter your tastes.
Viva La Fresa Bakery & Cafe
Jasmin Gonzalez believes in speaking things into existence, a mindset that feels especially fitting given how Viva La Fresa came to be. Growing up, she frequented the Donut Palace, the longtime mom-and-pop shop that occupied her current storefront for nearly 30 years, often joking that one day she would have a business in that very same space.
Years later, when she and her husband had just begun looking for a place of their own, the opportunity unexpectedly presented itself. What followed soon after was a full-circle moment that revealed a future Gonzalez hadn’t realized was taking shape all along.
A native Nashvillian whose family moved to Smyrna in 2006, Gonzalez went to culinary school for baking and pastry, though for years her dream of opening her own bakery remained in the background. She pursued a career as an executive pastry chef in Nashville, working various positions while quietly building Viva La Fresa from her home. But marriage, motherhood and the upheaval of a pandemic ultimately shifted her priorities.
“I wanted to have something of my own that would allow me to build for my kids’ futures, as well as allow me to have that freedom of working around my schedule and being a mom,” she says.
At Viva La Fresa, Gonzalez blends her Mexican heritage with a deep appreciation for French desserts. French classics are reimagined with Mexican and traditional flavors.
Whether picking up a sweet pastry, croissant sandwich or specialty latte, Gonzalez hopes Viva La Fresa is a place where guests feel welcome and free to treat themselves. She credits the community’s support as the foundation of her business – from her early days baking at home to the opening of her shop.
While owning a bakery comes with constant responsibility and little true downtime, Gonzalez sees the rewards as deeply meaningful. Building something lasting for her family, providing for them through her passion for baking, and having the flexibility to spend time together makes the demands worthwhile.
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