Southsea’s oldest sandwich shop relaunches as André’s Food Bar
La Croissanterie, a sandwich shop that’s been baking baguettes in Southsea’s Osborne Road high street for three decades, is relaunching as André’s Food Bar this Saturday.
The family business, run by the Guedeneys, has been keeping city residents fed and filled with baguettes, croissants, and delicious homemade patisserie items since 1988. The family are especially proud of their distinctive French baguettes baked on-site, which they supply to many of Portsmouth’s restaurants every day.
André is the family’s eldest son and he has worked in the business since he could barely see over the counter, so it’s safe to say he knows his bagels from his baguettes.
André, aged 35, has taken over the business from his mother Kathleen and intends to bring in fresh, creative ideas gleaned from his family’s French roots and his European travels.
His first undertaking is an exciting rebrand including a new-look shop and new name: André’s Food Bar. Work has been underway since December 2015, and just over a month on, André and his team are looking forward to welcoming hungry customers through their door.
The interior of the shop has been stripped back and the old décor has been replaced by a mix of exposed brick, distressed wood panelling, and rectangular white tiles. Glass counters, fisherman’s lamps, and modern menu boards breathe new life into the shop. Externally, a new-look black and white façade completes the look.
André, from North End in Portsmouth, said: “I’m thrilled to be leading the business into 2016. We’re tweaking our menu, but don’t fret — we’re not getting rid of anything!
“We’ve listened to the views of our loyal customers who told us what they love about us and what they’d like to see us offer. All the good stuff is staying, such as our famous garlic chicken baguettes, homemade mayonnaise and vinaigrette, and freshly-baked croissants.
“Plus, there’ll be some new added extras that we’ve been busy working on including a range of healthy, create-your-own salads. We’ll also be introducing a new selection of snacks and treats.”
André’s Food Bar, located at 54 Osborne Road, will be open Monday to Saturday from 8:00m to 3:00pm.