By Clyde Noel

Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier

Town Crier Correspondent

Marjolaine Bakery and Cafe in Los Altos was closed only one week before it reopened June 6 under the ownership of Vinnie and Kara Gasca, owners of Marjolaine Bakery in Saratoga.

The name of the restaurant at 134 Main St. is the same as a French pastry, a hazelnut meringue torte with chocolate filling. When the store originally opened June 1, 1996, the owners Margaret and Joe Novak brought along all the fine wedding cakes and pastries they featured in their Saratoga store.

Over time, the Novaks decided to spend more time on their wholesale bakery operation and sold Marjolaine to one of their employees, Katrina Kerstetter, May 1, 1999. Kerstetter closed the store Memorial Day to pursue other opportunities, and the Gascas purchased the Los Altos restaurant.

In addition to the Los Altos store, the Gascas are opening a new Marjolaine on Santana Road in San Jose, across from Valley Fair Shopping Mall.

Each Marjolaine will feature French cakes, pastries and other baked goods produced at the Marjolaine facility in Campbell. The Gascas purchased the name from the original owner. The bakery features goods from the Novaks’ operation in Campbell.

The Los Altos Marjolaine will have two store managers, one for each shift. Carmen Martinez and Gabby Lopez will manage the bakery and are available for any questions about the baked goods.

Vinnie’s wife Kara works in the Saratoga store but will keep in close touch with the other stores.

“We intend to put in a new juice bar and add more interesting coffees. Vigal, a local roasting company, will come up with additional blends for Los Altos Marjolaine,” Vinne said. “We will introduce a new lunch menu, which will include more varieties of sandwiches for all three stores.”

Vinnie said one of his employees, Jamie Sanchez, is called “The Sandwich Tornado” because he can whip up a sandwich according to the customer’s wishes.

Martinez made some early observations of Los Altos customers. “People look more relaxed here when they drop in for coffee, and they seem more at ease,” she said. “Los Altos is busier, but in Saratoga we sell at least 60 percent more special pastries and cakes.”

Vinnie has hopes of opening additional upscale French bakeries in Santa Clara County like the Los Altos one. He has retained most of the staff from the previous Marjolaine operation.

Marjolaine’s hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 941-3363.