The French Corner Bakery in Durham, North Carolina, is owned by Norma Garcia, who operates the business with her sons, Kevin and Alex. They come from a family of bakers in Pahuatlan, Puebla, Mexico. Their grandparents operated a mountainside bakery in Pahuatlan, where they baked bread for the local community.
After moving to Durham, the crew apprenticed under Chef Benjamin Massaoui, learning French baking techniques. They took over the bakery in January 2023, when Chef Massaoui retired.
The bakery combines French elements, such as baguettes and croissants, with Mexican influences, including a traditional Tres Leches cake. The interior features miniature Eiffel towers and antique sewing machines repurposed as tables, creating a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for patrons.