Baked goods have returned to 335 Main St. in Latrobe.
Four months after its grand opening, Rachelle’s 15650 is moving away from sandwiches and leaning into its historical roots. It will now serve as a bakery like its 19th-century predecessor — Mailey’s Bakery — a flagship of the city that was housed in the same building.
Operated by Saint Vincent College students, Rachelle’s will sell cookies, cinnamon rolls, scones and Texas-style kolaches — sweet dough filled with sausage, cheese and optional jalapenos. The breakfast sandwich and build-your-own grilled cheese option will remain on the menu.
Rachelle’s will continue to serve as a coffeehouse, according to manager and Saint Vincent senior Matthew Minkin.
“Bakeries become such a focal point in towns, and we’re excited to try to be that for Latrobe,” Minkin said. “(As) students at Saint Vincent … it’s really important for us to establish a connection between us and the community.”
Shop owner John Baran has intended to open the bakery since Rachelle’s opened, Minkin said. The Rachelle’s crew knows and appreciates the building’s rich history and importance.
“We’re glad we can keep that tradition going,” Minkin said.
Baran spent more than a year restoring the building to its quaint, small-town charm. Parts of the building’s original facade and flooring are visible to Rachelle’s customers as they walk through its doors.
Jarod Trunzo, executive director of the Latrobe Community Revitalization Program, credited Rachelle’s for honoring Mailey’s building and purpose. He said preservation directly coincides with advancement in cities such as Latrobe.
“Not only did the owner bring back the original facade, he brought back a lot of what the original business was, which is very rare,” Trunzo said. “Historical preservation is not something that sits apart from economic development. It’s the driver.”
Rachelle’s is open 6:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.
