Panera Bread, With Drive-Through, Will Open Thursday in Edmonds

Panera Bread, a bakery and café, has announced that it will open its store in Edmonds on Thursday.

The store, at 7929 244th St. SW (Lake Ballinger Way), was constructed from scratch after Barlee’s Restaurant, which previously held anchor at the site, was torn down. , at the confluence of state Route 104 and 244th Street Southwest, is on the southernmost tip of Edmonds and Snohomish County. It is opposite the east entrance to Home Depot, Costco and the rest of the tenants comprising Shoreline's Aurora Vilage.

Panera Bread, which will have about 45 employees, has seating for more than 100 and includes a drive-through lane and outdoor seating.

Panera Bread, founded in St. Louis 30 years ago, has almost 1,400 restaurants in 40 states. Edmonds is the 21st in Washington; another location is at Alderwood Mall in Lynnwood. New restaurants have already opened this year in Bothell, Woodinville and Renton.

Panera Bread will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.The drive-through is open during those same hours.

The store will close at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve, be closed Christmas Day, and be open until 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Panera Bread features a combination of booth and tables, free Wi-Fi access, a community table and a fireplace. It serves a selection of hot and cold sandwiches, soufflés, bagels, soups, paninis and salads. Panera’s signature hot entrees are steak chili with cornbread, and macaroni and cheese with white cheddar cheese sauce over shell pasta.

Beverages include a full line of coffee drinks using beans from Costa Rica.

Panera also offers an artisan and specialty bread baked that morning. Varieties include stone-milled rye, three seed, focaccia, whole grain, sourdough, cinnamon raisin, tomato basil and honey wheat, among others.