The French Chef And The Bus Driver
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Bill Shepherd (left) and Alain Poux of La Provence
This tale begins in a quaint bustling village of sidewalk lined streets, historic brick buildings, brightly colored awnings and ornamental pear trees set into gentle rolling hills. More than 28,000 city officials, school children, clergy, homemakers, babies and shopkeepers make it their home. And on special days (and ordinary ones, too), the townsfolk seek out moments of happiness sipping coffee and nibbling croissants at La Provence Bakery & Cafe.
Where would you expect to find such a place? The South of France? Paris? How about South Clayton Street in Lawrenceville, GA.
La Provence’s owner, chief food creator and welcoming host is Alain Poux (pronounced Pooks). Unlike fragrant lavender stems that resist being pulled from dry provencial soil, Alain eagerly transplanted himself from Aureille, in the Provence-Alpes- Cote d’Azur region to the United States in the 1990’s.
An entrepreneur from a family of entrepreneurs, says Alain, “It’s very difficult to have a business in France,” he explains. So, Alain first made his way to New Orleans over a decade ago. Earning a business degree at Loyola University, he also got an education in food working at “Chez Daniel” in the Big Easy. Eventually, Alain started a family, moved to Lawrenceville, Georgia and bought the building across the street from City Hall. He opened La Provence in December of last year.
Sitting at the counter is Bill Shepherd, one of La Provence’s first customers and a Gwinnett County School bus driver. “We’ve had Italian and Spanish food here. Now we have something in a French flavor,” Mr Shepherd says. When asked why he comes here, he explains, ” Alain’s got really good pastries and coffee and that’s the reason you come to a restaurant.”
Luckily for Bill and Alain’s other faithful clients, they don’t need to board an eight hour flight to France for the experience.
La Provence Bakery and Cafe is open 7 am-3 pm Monday through Saturday. The bistro offers sandwiches on freshly baked baguettes, crepes, French Onion Soup and daily specials, such as lamb, approved by the locals. 50 South Clayton Street, Lawrenceville. (678) 377-8745.
