The Hands-Down Best Small-Town New England Bakery Is A Popular Stop For A Traditional French Treat

If you're in the New England area and you're craving some pastry, the place to go is literally The Place. Making our list of best small-town bakeries in every U.S. region, this two-person operation may be tiny at 650 square feet but its impact on the idyllic town of Camden, Maine, has been big ever since opening its doors in 2023. A perfect pitstop to pre-order, pop in, and pick up a tasty treat, The Place offers a diverse array of baked goods, including one must-order French pastry: kouign-amann.

Though it's located on Elm Street, The Place is anything but a nightmare. In fact, for owners Chelsea Kravitz and Chris Dawson, relocating to Maine and starting a food business was a dream come true. The two connected over this shared aspiration in 2022 while working together at Kravitz's bakery-restaurant in Long Island.

Within a whirlwind span of six months, they embarked on a romantic relationship, moved to Maine, bought a house together, and started their business –- the only bakery in Camden. Their new home is located next to the Cedar Crest Inn, which it was formerly part of. For this reason, it was already zoned for commercial use, including a converted workspace barely big enough for a micro-bakery. After just two weeks of sprucing it up, The Place opened its doors in mid-summer with a line of awaiting customers from day one. No surprise, since The New York Times recently declared we're in the "Golden Age of American Bakeries," recognizing The Place as one of the best in 2024.

The Place (along with quaint, historical Camden) is worthy of a day trip if you're close enough to make the trek. On the fence? A cursory peek at the bakery's Instagram should be enough to whet any bread lover's appetite for some serious glutinous grub. They offer a diverse assortment of both savory and sweet items, including croissants, buns, Danishes, muffins, cookies, cakes, pies, bagels, and bread. Everything is handmade, small batch, and uses local ingredients. Much of the menu changes with the seasons so be sure to check before you set your heart on a particular something.

The cinnamon bun is the bakery's longtime bestseller. It's made from croissant dough with a cinnamon swirl on the inside and chocolate frosting on the outside. Another local bakery which had closed before The Place opened was famous for something similar, so it was a sure bet to get in good with the locals if they could pull it off (and they did).

Another big seller is the kouign-amann we mentioned, which is one of the many pastries you must try at a French bakery. Described on The Place's menu as "the beret wearing cousin of the muffin," this is a type of laminated pastry where flaky layers of buttery goodness take center stage. Caramelized and crusty on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside; it's delicious.

Since the whole enterprise is run solely by Kravitz and Dawson, walk-in hours are limited to Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon. Pre-ordering is recommended to ensure you get what you want because they sell out fast.