Helen St. Bakehouse Finds a New Home

by Matt Dye

In the framework of Daley’s Gym, where for 100 years fists pounded punching bags, Helen St. Bakehouse is doing a different kind of pounding, and then kneading, twirling, and baking some of the best bread that you may have already experienced and not realized. Currently, Helen St. supplies fresh baked bread to some of Lake Charles’ finer establishments – Calla, The James 710, and Fire & Oak. Now, with their Common Street location, Helen St. Bakehouse looks to ramp up production and availability to the general public.

This has been a long-time goal for owner Cary Sole, and like many, he was forced to change course due to the hurricanes last year. “We were two days from breaking ground when Laura hit,” says Sole, referring to their original site for Helen St. Bakehouse. Hurricane Laura might have diverted plans, but it gave Sole a new opportunity when Daley’s became available. “That’s where the boxing ring used to be,” he says, pointing to a corner now outfitted with a dozen bread racks and a walk-in convection oven.

That’s only one of the highlights at Helen St. Bakehouse. They have a mixer that can handle over 300 lbs. of dough at a time, and a sheeter that makes mass production easier. Helen St. has come a long way from selling baguettes and sticky buns at the Cash & Carry Farmer’s Market, where they got their start. But this has always been Sole’s vision for his baking future.

While there isn’t a set date for a grand opening just yet, Helen St. Bakehouse hopes to be open for the start of the new year, with a tentative schedule of 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Sole says he plans to serve croissants and sticky buns with coffee in the morning, and offer fresh bread daily at 4:00 p.m. While there will almost always be baguettes, the range of other bread types will depend on the days, as Sole is very particular about making sure his customers only get the freshest breads.

“We may do a marble rye on Tuesday, or Halal on Friday,” he says. But there will be limited supplies, so don’t be surprised if there’s a four o’clock rush. That said, Helen St. Bakehouse will also take private orders if you need the freshest bread for your next party or office function.

While there may eventually be a sandwich and chocolate chip cookies on the menu, Sole is quick to point out that Helen St. has no plans to morph into a restaurant or café, but instead will focus on the bread. 

That said, Sole looks forward to getting his hands back in the grains and mash and creating new items once his team gets fully settled into the new location.