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FIRST PLACE
AVENUE BREAD
Locations: 1313 Railroad Ave., 676-9274; 1135 11th St., 676-1809; 2301 James St., 715-3354; hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
Web site: www.avenuebread.com
From the boss: "Our bread is known for being handmade, so it's the true artisan bread, made the way bread ought to be made, without machines or preservatives. We try to go local as much as we can, and because of that we've become a real part of the community." Wendy DeFreest, co-owner
Reader rave: "The general service is great and the staff is accommodating and friendly. I've never gotten a bad sandwich from Avenue: The tomatoes are just ripe, the meats and breads are fresh, and they make tasty hot chocolate with yummy whipped cream." Lara Carter, Bellingham
Highlights: The wide windows of Avenue Bread's downtown location entice shoppers on Railroad Avenue with a display of golden handmade knots and loaves of bread. Once inside, visitors are greeted with the warm homey smells of baking bread and pastries. All the goodies at Avenue are made fresh every day with ingredients that are local and organic whenever possible. The menu includes soups, sandwiches, artisan breads, pastries, desserts and, in the tradition of the Pacific Northwest, a wide array of coffees.
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