After a 2022 fire burnt down its storefront, local bakery Texas French Bread reopened its main building to customers June 30.

Texas French Bread first opened its doors over 45 years ago in 1981 on 33rd Street. The bakery then moved to the intersection of 29th and Rio Grande streets before the 2022 fire, caused by an oven vent mechanical failure. After the event, employees transitioned to working out of an Airstream trailer in a garden at the site’s parking lot. The building took a year to rebuild.

The bakery offers a range of freshly baked foods including bread, pastries and desserts all made from scratch. English junior Liliana Lopez, who has worked at the establishment for over a month, said the community and quality of the products are what bring people, including her, to love the place.

“We do source everything locally from Texas,” Lopez said. “It’s a bit more expensive because we truly do take that locally sourced (idea) to heart.”

Lopez started working at the trailer location before moving to the new restaurant building. Since its reopening, she said the building has been packed with Austin locals.

“It has been so busy,” Lopez said. “I was working Tuesday, and it was a constant line. … Even after we close, we still have customers coming in.”

Murph Willcott, owner of Texas French Bread, wrote on his Substack about the opening in June.

“Dear Friends, Last week we served dinner for the first time in four and a half years,” Wilcott wrote. “We hope you’ll join us.”

For customers like William Casas, who grew up in Austin, the bakery offers a nostalgic childhood treat.

“I’ve known about Texas French Bread since well before the fire,” Casas said. “My mom went to UT … so I’ve been coming here my whole life.”

As the fall semester at the University begins in a few weeks, Lopez said she thinks the bakery will be a popular central hub for not only students but Austin locals alike.

“Everyone knows each other,” Lopez said. “Everyone has a shared love of Texas French Bread.”