La Colmar Bakery & Bistro in Naples permanently closed last week. Co-owners Ana and Yannick Brendel announced the closing in a video they posted Friday on La Colmar’s social media pages.   

“It is time to say goodbye. The oven is off. A page is being turned,” read the message accompanying the video, in which the Brendels sit side by side and finish each other’s sentences as they speak about the closing of their former bakery at 80 Tamiami Trail N.  

Ana Brendel thanked patrons for their words of encouragement and guidance. “We want to thank all of our customers who were so loyal to us, and despite the little challenges we faced, you were always there for us like little angels. We want to thank you guys,” she said.  

After admitting the decision to close the bakery was not easy, the reason for closing is not apparent. The Brendels could not be reached for comment and their cryptic video cites “what’s happening around the world” in 2023 as one of the reasons to close without offering specific information.  

“God has been calling me to go ahead and do what it is that I came here to do. I thought it was feeding you guys, but what I came to find out in the few months from now it’s that I have a talent that is needed out in the world and it’s my time to start giving that out,” Ana Brendel said without providing further explanation.  

Another local bakery business plans to replace La Colmar, but specific details are not available yet. “So, just like you, we are going to look forward to a new, amazing bakery in the area and, meanwhile, we will work on new, different projects, and you may hear from us very soon in the near future,” Yannick Brendel said.   

In August 2017, the Brendels launched La Colmar, a French bakery named for the town in northeastern France where Yannick grew up as a third-generation baker and pastry chef. The following year, the Naples couple left the bakery they created and then operated their short-lived Yana Eats restaurant in Naples. They relaunched La Colmar in October 2021.