Maison Richard Closes After 40 Years as Normandie Bakery Claims Melrose Space

After serving classic French pastries and food for 40 years, West Hollywood’s Maison Richard closed on August 13. Maison Richard was the first eatery of celebrated chef Michel Richard, who opened later Citrus in 1987 along Melrose Avenue, Citronelle in Washington, D.C., and other concepts in Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Vegas, Baltimore, New York, and Philadelphia.

Richard’s longtime friend and partner, Huguette Coffyn, took over the pastry shop in 1987, and worked alongside Richard. In 2010, Coffyn relocated the business to Melrose near Stanley from its former home on Robertson.

The restaurant world was stunned when Richard died in 2016. Maison Richard was still under Coffyn’s ownership until this week.

The space won’t be closed for long, as the new and unnamed concept is due to open on September 1. Josette LeBlond is the new owner, and was friends with Richard and Coffyn. LeBlond owns Normandie Bakery, and will provide a similar menu at this new outpost.

Maison Richard’s closing notice from their Facebook page reads as follows:

“After 32 years of operations, and an amazing ride, Huguette, the owner of Maison Richard is retiring from the business. The Maison Richard brand and company has officially ended its operation on August 13th 2017. Chef Josette, owner of Normandie Bakery, is taking over the restaurant and french bakery location starting mid-august with her existing Normandie brand and products. Chef Josette's new concept on the same Melrose and Stanley avenue location will officially launch on September 1st. We would like to thank everyone for having been part of the journey that was started with Michel Richard in 1977. While the original Michel Richard products will no longer be carried past August. The existing location will continue to operate as restaurant and bakery with some similar offerings with Josette's own French style.”

Chef Josette at Normandie Bakery
707 N Stanley Ave, Los Angeles 90046
(323) 655-7777