Lawrence Panera Opens Doors

Editor's note: The following is a press release by Panera Bread.

Not only was love in the air this February 14, but so was the tantalizing aroma of fresh-baked breads, as Panera Bread―a bakery-cafe known for its fresh salads, sandwiches and soups—opened on Valentine’s Day, near Best Buy, in the Bay Harbour Shopping Center on Bay/Penisula Boulevard between Rockaway Turnpike and Nassau Expressway.

Here, bread lovers can enjoy sandwiches and panini made on bread baked each morning on Panera’s stone hearth.  Soup lovers can swoon over a variety of daily favorites like broccoli cheddar, French onion and low-fat garden vegetable with pesto.  While, salad lovers can crunch their way through healthful salads, made with crisp, exciting ingredients, with new selections introduced each season.

“Our guests love us,” says Greg George, Vice President of Operations for Panera, “we were voted ‘Most Popular’ among large chain restaurants and received top ranking for Best Salads and Best Facilities in last year’s Zagat Survey. Panera was also rated the #1 Quick Service Restaurant in New York in a recent JD Power & Associates satisfaction survey and earned five Best of Long Island awards including Best Soup, Best Sandwich Deal and Best Healthy Eatery.”

Breakfast lovers can start their day bright and early at Panera. The bakery-cafe will open its doors weekdays at 7AM to share the warmth of hot soufflés as well as a variety of nourishing grilled choices like a whole-grain breakfast power sandwich or French Toast Bagel Breakfast sandwich made with a freshly cracked egg, Vermont white cheddar and all-natural sausage. Breakfast also comes in the shape of a dozen mouth-watering varieties of bagels and an irresistible assortment of artisan pastries, sweet rolls, muffins and scones that can be paired with Panera’s fresh-perked coffee or hot tea selections.

When it comes to tiny taste buds, kids will fall in love with wholesome choices like Grilled Cheese, made with organic American cheese and white whole grain bread, their perennial favorite PB&J, creamy not-for-kids-only Mac & Cheese and a selection of Kid’s Deli sandwiches. Each Panera Kids’ Meal is served with a fun, squeezable organic yogurt.

Calorie-conscious guests, and even those who are not, adore Panera Bread’s You-Pick-Two® which allows them to manage calories by choosing a half sandwich together with a cup of hearty soup or half salad. The option helped Panera Bread earn its #1 ranking for healthy-eating-on-the-go from Health magazine.

What else is there to love about Panera? How about free WiFi served up in cozy nooks with electrical outlets that let guests comfortably surf the web from their laptops?

If you’ve got a meeting, sales call or special occasion, the Lawrence bakery-cafe offers Panera Catering. They will meticulously package breakfast, lunch or dinner for your group and deliver it directly to your door or have it ready for pickup.

For employment opportunities with Panera, visit www.panerabread.jobs.