Paris Baguette Brings Global Flavor to Owings Mills' Metro Centre

OWINGS MILLS, MD – April 17, 2026 – The aroma of freshly baked bread and handcrafted pastries is set to permeate Metro Centre at Owings Mills as the globally renowned bakery café, Paris Baguette, prepares to open its newest Maryland location. The French-inspired chain will begin its soft opening on Monday, April 20, 2026, marking a significant addition to the burgeoning retail and dining landscape of the premier mixed-use development.

Located at 10309 Grand Central Ave., Suite 120, the new café is poised to become a daily hub for residents, office tenants, and visitors, offering an elevated experience that blends artisan baking with a welcoming community atmosphere. The opening signifies not only a new option for local food enthusiasts but also a strategic move in Paris Baguette's aggressive North American expansion and a testament to the development philosophy of David S. Brown Enterprises, LTD.

Elevating the Local Culinary Scene

Paris Baguette's arrival introduces a new level of indulgence to Owings Mills, a community that has seen its dining options diversify and grow in sophistication alongside its recent development boom. The café will feature a wide array of signature items, from delicate croissants and rich pastries to artisan cakes, gourmet sandwiches, and a full coffee program featuring Lavazza beverages.

The opening follows a Friends & Family event on April 19 and will offer dine-in, takeout, and catering services. This positions the café as a versatile destination, suitable for a quick morning coffee, a casual lunch meeting, or a celebratory cake pickup. Its presence complements existing eateries within Metro Centre, such as the health-conscious Toastique and the all-day dining spot Eggspectation, by adding a distinct, bakery-focused concept.

"The addition of Paris Baguette represents exactly the type of high-quality, experience-driven tenant we are bringing to Metro Centre," said Ken Bernstein, Senior Vice President of Commercial Leasing at David S. Brown Enterprises. "This concept elevates our retail mix while creating a daily destination for residents, office tenants, and the broader Owings Mills community."

The move reflects a broader trend of international brands recognizing the potential of vibrant, high-density suburban hubs. By choosing a location like Metro Centre, Paris Baguette taps into a built-in audience seeking quality and convenience, further transforming Owings Mills from a traditional suburb into a dynamic lifestyle destination.

A Blueprint for Aggressive Expansion

The Owings Mills opening is a single piece in a much larger, ambitious puzzle for Paris Baguette. The South Korea-based brand is in the midst of a rapid and strategic conquest of the North American market, with a stated goal of operating 1,000 U.S. locations by 2030. Having already established over 250 locations across the continent by mid-2025, the company is on a formidable growth trajectory, with plans to open over 150 new cafés in 2026 alone.

This expansion is largely fueled by a franchise-centric model, which allows for rapid scaling while leveraging local market expertise. The brand strategically targets high-traffic suburban markets and lifestyle centers, making Metro Centre an ideal fit. Maryland has been a key target for growth, with existing locations in Towson and Germantown, and another planned for Crofton.

Underpinning this rapid expansion is a significant investment in infrastructure. The company is pouring between $160 million and $208 million into a new 260,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Texas. Slated to begin production in 2027, this bakery-plant will supply its North American stores and create hundreds of jobs, demonstrating a long-term commitment to the market. This operational backbone ensures consistency and quality across its sprawling network of cafés, each designed with a modern, European-inspired aesthetic meant to provide an inviting, experiential visit for every customer.

The Art of Placemaking at Metro Centre

The arrival of a global powerhouse like Paris Baguette is no accident; it is the result of a deliberate "placemaking" strategy by developer David S. Brown Enterprises. For decades, the firm has focused on creating integrated, high-value communities, and Metro Centre at Owings Mills stands as a flagship example of this vision. The transit-oriented development is designed to be a self-sustaining ecosystem blending luxury residential living, Class A office space, and curated retail and dining.

Upon completion, the sprawling project will feature 1,700 apartments, over half a million square feet of office space, and 150,000 square feet of retail, all anchored by an on-site Metro station. The goal is to create a vibrant hub where people can live, work, and play without heavy reliance on cars.

Selecting the right tenants is crucial to the success of this model. "From the moment we began discussions, it was clear that Paris Baguette aligns perfectly with the vision for Metro Centre," noted Noah Adler, Commercial Leasing Associate at the development firm. "We are excited to introduce a brand that delivers exceptional quality and a strong sense of community—something guests will feel the moment they walk through the doors."

By attracting tenants that serve as daily amenities, the developer not only enhances the quality of life for its residents and office workers but also drives consistent foot traffic that benefits all commercial tenants. This symbiotic relationship is the cornerstone of successful mixed-use development, turning a collection of buildings into a thriving community.

The opening of Paris Baguette is another step in cementing Metro Centre's identity as a premier destination in Baltimore County. It reinforces the area's economic vitality and its appeal to discerning consumers and high-caliber businesses alike, signaling continued growth and investment in the Owings Mills corridor.