Mademoiselle Paris Expands to Gulfport — A Well-Deserved Next Chapter for Sarasota’s French Bakery
By Extended Reach Florida Staff
Sarasota’s beloved Mademoiselle Paris is heading across the bay: the French bakery and café plans a new Gulfport location, bringing its signature viennoiserie, pâtisserie, and café classics to Pinellas County. The move caps several strong years of growth for the brand—and, frankly, feels logical given the loyal following it’s built from downtown Sarasota to UTC and Anna Maria.
About the Owners
Husband-and-wife team Jean and Myriam Dandonneau are the heart behind Mademoiselle Paris. Known for their hands-on, scratch-made approach and classic French technique, the duo earned Best of SRQ honors last year—recognition fueled by loyal locals and repeat visitors. Their attention to buttery viennoiserie, seasonal pâtisserie, and warm, neighborhood-style hospitality has powered steady growth; the upcoming Gulfport café marks their fourth location and a well-deserved next step.
What’s coming to Gulfport
Plans call for a light-filled, indoor–outdoor setup that fits Gulfport’s walkable, arts-district vibe—think patio seating, a walk-up window for early croissants and coffee, weekend live French music, and a small cocktail list to pair with savory crêpes and bistro plates later in the day. It’s the same crisp butter-layered standards regulars know, just with a few additions tailored to an evening crowd.
Why this brand travels well
Mademoiselle Paris didn’t scale by chasing gimmicks; it earned its audience the old-fashioned way—laminated dough done right, seasonal tarts that look as good as they taste, and a kitchen that can handle both breakfast queues and brunch waves. A Gulfport storefront puts the brand in front of new residents and weekend explorers while keeping it within easy reach of Sarasota regulars who cross the Skyway.
Development Snapshot — Mademoiselle Paris (Gulfport)
- Project: Mademoiselle Paris bakery & café
- Location: 2937 Beach Boulevard South in Gulfport.
- Use / Scope: Tenant build-out for a full-service French bakery/café with indoor–outdoor seating and walk-up service
- Operator: Mademoiselle Paris (existing locations: Sarasota, UTC, Anna Maria)
- Status & Timeline: Permitting/design in progress; opening targeted for the winter season
- Why it matters: Expands a proven Sarasota concept into a high-foot-traffic Gulf Coast arts corridor, adding hospitality jobs and strengthening the region’s cross-bay culinary identity
Extended Reach take: This is one of those expansions that makes immediate sense: a respected Sarasota brand steps onto a lively, pedestrian main street where morning-to-evening service wins. If you’ve been rooting for Mademoiselle Paris, this Gulfport chapter looks like the right move at the right time.
