Fire broke out at Texas French Bread late Monday night, January 24th. Despite the quick response and best efforts of Austin emergency personnel, it could not be contained. We are sad to report that the bakery and bistro, their contents, and the historic building - originally Shipwash’s Grocery, later famously the Rome Inn, and since 1987 Texas French Bread - are now gone.

Leaving the building well before the fire spread was the crew who were busy baking and packing Tuesday’s bread and pastries for our wholesale customers. We are devastated at the loss of our bakery and restaurant, but forever grateful that no harm came to any of our staff or to the valiant folks who fought the fire throughout the night.

The outpouring of support from our community has been staggering, and many folks have asked how they can help. Our dear friend Ilana has set up a GoFundMe to help us with some of the next steps, but please do not feel obligated. We feel your love.

Many are also inquiring about our plans to relocate or rebuild. At the present time, we simply don’t know enough to offer any cogent thoughts about the future. We are doing our best to absorb the tremendous change imposed by this loss.

To all of you who have been part of our community over the years, we send you our love and we grieve with you. We are incredibly grateful for all of the support, kind words, and sentiments that so many of you have offered in this difficult moment. Thank you for your patronage, community spirit, and all the memories you’ve made with us during the past forty years that make this moment so sad.