Baguette Magic adds retail hub to their production kitchen on Wappoo Road
by Lorne Chambers | Editor
Ever since 2019, when sisters Paula and Samantha Kramer purchased a small bakery with a funny name along Folly Road on James Island, there has been a buzz surrounding Baguette Magic. The Charleston natives really put the magic into Baguette Magic, creating mouth-watering pastries, delicious sandwiches, yummy pies, fresh loaves of bread, and much more.
“It had been a wild ride since COVID restrictions began shortly after we assumed operations. The original owner started at Farmer’s Markets and opened the Folly Road location about 15 years ago. Sam and I are Charleston natives and were thrilled to keep the Baguette Magic legacy alive.”
Those in the know regularly make the pilgrimage from West Ashley to James Island just to have one of their famous breakfast sandwiches, homemade pop-tarts, or cruffins (a popular monthly special that blends croissants and muffin). But now they don’t have to risk getting caught on the drawbridge or venture over the Connector because last month Baguette Magic opened a retail and to-go hub at their production bakery on Wappoo Road right here in West Ashley.
Paula says that she and Samantha made the decision to move their bakery team and production to West Ashley in June of 2022 after looking into options for expansion inside of their Folly Road location with no success. Also in June of 2022, Baguette Magic opened a second retail location on Spring Street downtown.
“Business there was not as steady as we thought it would be and so we decided to hand the reins to Kultura Charleston since they were having lots of success with their weekend pop-up there,” says Paula. “Still needing a secondary retail outlet, the front of our central bakery just made sense!”
Due to parking limitations, Paula explains, the West Ashley location only serves customers in a to-go capacity. “We are not able to offer any seating. Since the kitchen is a one-team member as opposed to the three-man team at Folly Road, we have a slightly smaller menu. Guests can still expect most of the cult favorites though!”
According to Paula, laminated pastries are their specialty. “We do everything completely from scratch, which is pretty unheard of these days as far as the bakery goes,” she says. “We also use our own scratch-made bread for all of our sandwiches. We also use a wide variety of local purveyors including Storey Farms’ eggs at both locations.”
Baguette Magic rotates its pastries regularly, so there is always something new and delicious on the menu. Additionally, they sell other local products, like Bertolini pasta. This location is stocked with house-made frozen items such as take-and-bakes, pies, quiches, and cookie dough, locally-crafted kombucha, tea, and shelf-stable goods. There’s also a full espresso program at the West Ashley location.
Since opening its retail doors, Paula says there has been a steady stream of customers who are excited to have a Baguette Magic on this side of town.
“The reception in West Ashley has been amazing! We are so thrilled to be here, especially because I also live right around the corner,” she says. “Our takeaway frozen meals, quiches, pies etc. have especially done well here. We can’t seem to keep the freezer stocked! My favorite is the Chicken Pot Pie.”
Paula says there will be a bakery open house on Saturday, Nov. 4, which also marks her and Samantha’s four-year anniversary of purchasing the bakery.
“We will have tours, picture opportunities in our huge ovens and other fun activities for kids etc. We will celebrate at both locations, but we are so excited to show off our big new home!”
Baguette Magic’s new West Ashley location is open Wed.-Fri. from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. It’s located at 1028 Wappoo Road. For more information, visit
www.baguettemagicchs.com.
