SCHOON, from owners Fritz and Chanelle Schoon, has evolved yet again and is now back in action in Stellenbosch after relocating to Somerset West. What began as Oude Bank Bakkerij over seven years ago is now a fully-fledged bakery brand. 2018’s new venture brings a rebirth of the old Stellies favourite in the form of SCHOON Manufactory Café on Bird Street, as well as a croissant-and-coffee hatch to open at De Wet Centre.

Pasteis de nata from SCHOON. Photo by Claire Gunn.

SCHOON Manufactory Café is the first of the two concepts to open and had its first day of trade on Saturday 9 June. “It’s still the same team from the Oude Bank Bakkerij days, but we’ve grown our capacity. I’m at the bread shaping table again full-time and we have space to move around in, which is fantastic,” says Fritz.

Fritz Schoon of SCHOON. Photo by Claire Gunn.

The Manufactory includes the bakery, as well as a patisserie and kitchen run by Chanelle Schoon. “We’re bringing all our skills into one amazing, centralised space. It’s where we brainstorm and create and, while we’re going to continue focusing on our specialities of bread, pastries and café food, it makes us flexible enough to stretch our wings and create new offerings when the opportunities arise,” adds Fritz.

The small café will focus on good coffee and carefully selected produce-driven dishes created by Chanelle. Think SCHOON classics like the famous scrambled eggs on sourdough toast with slow-roasted tomato and smoked bacon, and their croque Madame. The brioche French toast with roasted apple, brie, buchu syrup and clotted cream will still make an appearance.

The famed croque Madame from SCHOON. Photo by Claire Gunn.

SCHOON Croissant & Coffee Bar, which opens on 15 June, will be a first for Stellies. The speedy hatch will focus on coffee and freshly baked croissants to take with you on the go. Locals will be able to grab a takeaway cuppa and choose from golden flaky pastries like pork loin and gruyère croissants with wholegrain mustard, or creamy caramel cronuts with salt-and-sugar spice. Explains Fritz: “The craziness of life doesn’t leave much room for slow living and this little corner is going to allow people to savour something handcrafted and thoughtfully made in their busy day”. The hatch will be located in the courtyard of De Wet Centre, just off Church Street.

SCHOON Croissant & Coffee Bar will opens on 15 June at De Wet Centre in Stellenbosch. Photo by Claire Gunn.

As for SCHOON in Somerset West, the bakery will remain open for business as usual.

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