Le Macaron, located at 7 Grand Corner Ave next to BurgerFi in Gaithersburg’s Rio, is set to open its doors at 10 am on Monday, December 18th.
Owned by MoCo residents Natalia Mejia and Camilo Beltran, the shop will undergo a “soft opening” phase until its grand opening in January. The menu will feature a variety of delights, including macarons in over 20 flavors, gourmet chocolates, French gelato, specialty European-style coffees, classic French pastries, and homemade candies.
The history of Le Macaron, as outlined on its website, traces back to founders Rosalie Guillem and her daughter Audrey Guillem-Saba. Originally from France, the family aimed to introduce authentic French macarons to the world. They noticed a misconception in the American market, where the term “macaron” was often associated with sugar cookies or confused with the coconut-based “macaroon.” In 2009, they opened the first Le Macaron French Pastries® in Florida and began franchising in 2012 due to high demand.
Le Macaron’s niche concept involves handcrafting signature pastries by French chefs at their commissary. Their true French macarons are made with gluten-free ingredients, contain no preservatives, and are approximately 80 calories each. In addition to macarons, the menu includes gourmet chocolates, French gelato, classic pastries, European-style beverages, and homemade candies. Some locations may also offer a variety of wine and sparkling wine.
The French pâtisseries boast a modern European design, and with no on-site baking, they achieve streamlined operations requiring minimal staffing. This approach allows franchisees to focus on providing excellent customer service and explore additional revenue avenues.
Featured image courtesy @lemacaronrio on Instagram
