The shop at 4737 California Ave. S.W. has housed a succession of bakeries over the past 80 years, most recently Remo Borracchini's Bakery. Before that it was Blake's Bakery for decades. Now the place has another bakery almost cooked through.

Bakery Nouveau is the product of West Seattle resident William Leaman, leader of a three-person baking team that won the 2005 World Cup of Baking in Paris. Leaman and two assistants will do the baking.

Besides a short commute, Leaman chose West Seattle for his self-described artisan bakery because "it was a niche not being filled." Other parts of the city have artisan bakeries but there wasn't one here, Leaman said.

The new bakery will offer 10 to 13 types of fresh bread daily. Wedding cakes, birthday cakes and special-occasion cakes will be available as well as a variety of American and European desserts. That includes chocolates because, two years ago, Leaman was named among the top 10 new chocolatiers in the nation.

Bakery Nouveau will have a half dozen tables with seating for about 16 people. Breakfast goodies such as Danish pastries and croissants will be available, and there will be quiche, brioche, sandwiches and occasionally pizza for lunch.

The bakery is being restored to the way it looked when it was constructed in 1926. Leaman's wife Heather is an architectural designer helping to reveal the bakery's original plaster ceilings and box beams. It has hardwood floors too. The interior is being painted in 1920's colors too, such as cream, butter yellow and dark-chocolate brown.

Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday

Address: 4737 California Ave. S.W.

Phone: 923-0534

That's a wrap

It's gift-wrapping time again and there's a new place to buy wrapping paper or get somebody else to do the wrapping for you. Swee Swee Paperie & Studio can help with corporate gift-giving as well.

The new Junction shop - owned by Ann Conway - also offers gift cards, stationery and other paper stock.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Address: 4218 S.W. Alaska St.

Phone: 937-7933

My little house

Proving once again that White Center is the most international place in King County, a new restaurant is serving fare from Ecuador, Honduras, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Mi Bohio is Spanish for "little house," said owner Elizabeth Pacheco, who is originally from Ecuador. Not little at all, the brightly painted restaurant on 17th Avenue Southwest serves smashed fried plantains, pork and rice, and a wide selection of other entrees from the Caribbean, Central America and South America.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. every day.

Address: 9440 17th Ave. S.W.

Phone: 767-2505

Bank branch closed

for remodeling

The Morgan Junction branch of Washington Federal Savings closed Dec. 1 and its functions and accounts temporarily moved to the Jefferson Square branch.

Pam Twardus, branch manager, said account numbers would remain the same.

Roof repairs were already planned for the Morgan Junction branch but bank officials decided recently to completely remodel the building's interior. The exterior walls will remain but the 30-year-old building will be gutted, said Cathy Cooper, Washington Federal Savings spokeswoman. The building's wiring and plumbing will be replaced and all new furnishings will be installed. The layout will be about the same as it has been, she said.

The Morgan Junction building was constructed in 1976 as a branch of Metropolitan Savings. Remodeling is expected to be completed and the Morgan Junction branch of Washington Federal Savings reopened next fall.

Washington Federal Savings has 120 branches in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Texas.

For stylin' babies, infants

Krista Means had a difficult time finding a gift in West Seattle for her newborn nephew, and that gave her an idea. She recently opened a children's clothing store in the Junction and named it for the little girl she never had, although she's happily raising two sons.

Georgia Blu sells clothing for newborns and children up to age 6. The clothes are for everyday use as well as special occasions. The new Junction store also carries shoes, socks and accessories. About half of the merchandise is from European clothiers.

The new store also has crib bedding, blankets, stuffed animals and personalized stationery. Customers can arrange for baby photography and there's a baby gift registry too.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Address: 4707 California Ave. S.W.

Phone: 935-4499

Business Briefs is compiled by Tim St.Clair at 932.0300 or tstclair@robinsonnews.com