Panera Bread to Open in Encino

Panera Bread is planning to open a bakery-cafe in the space formerly occupied by Uncle Chen Chinese restaurant, at 16624 Ventura Blvd.

“Construction will begin by summer 2011, and we will be open within four months of that start date,” said Jennifer Carosella of Manna Development Group.

Franchisee Risen Bread LLC signed a 10-year lease and is building a 4,000-square-foot restaurant with “Panera’s latest and greatest design,” Carosella said.

Encino Neighborhood Council member Gerry Silver questioned the appropriateness of the restaurant's modern design at last week's meeting of the council's Planning and Land Use Committee, as contemporary buildings are few and far between in Encino.

“It’s very appropriate for the site, very appropriate for the boulevard,” said council member and architect Michael Kaufman. “You can see designs like this all over Los Angeles.”

However, if Panera is only taking 4,000 square feet of the former 8,200-square-foot Uncle Chen restaurant, another business is likely to move into the remaining space. Gregory Taylor, who represents the property, said he did not know who any of the tenants were.

Taylor, who brought the blueprints to the Planning and Land Use Committee meeting, explained that there will be a demolition of 490 square feet and an addition of 2,790 square feet to the existing restaurant.

“Uncle Chen's is closed and that building is a mess, so they basically gutted the inside and we’re [asking] for a project permit,” Taylor said.

The biggest concern is the lack of parking in the area. Taylor said the restaurant remodel will include the addition of 11 parking spaces for a total of 47 parking spots. The nearby Bank of America will allow restaurant patrons to use its parking lot, which has 30 spaces, after business hours. 

But Panera Bread is primarily a breakfast and lunch business. With more than 1,400 locations in the United States and Canada, the bakery-cafe's identity is rooted in handcrafted, artisan bread.

The bakery menu will include freshly baked breads, bagels, baked egg soufflés, pastries and sweets. The cafe menu will offer sandwiches, soups, hand-tossed salads, beverages and kids options. Wi-Fi will be available at the Encino location, the company said.

There are Panera Bread locations in Northridge, Studio City, North Hollywood, Burbank and Santa Monica.