Those who have come to try Layered‘s viral fruit-shaped pastries during the cafe’s soft opening have been finding much more than they’ve bargained for.
Since the cafe opened its doors in Fairfax City at Courthouse Plaza (3924 Blenheim Blvd) earlier this summer, diners have been greeted by long lines and, in some instances, empty cases.
That’s somewhat to be expected, since a soft opening is intended to be an opportunity for a new business to iron out the kinks.
“It’s great they are running out, but they are adjusting daily based on supply and demand,” one resident said in the “Northern Virginia Foodies” Facebook group.
Layered, which first opened Aug. 7, utilizes a daily “drop schedule” for its pastries, with new batches of desserts being made available three times a day: 7 a.m., noon and 5 p.m.
After prepping for a month, Layered’s initial stock sold out in 48 hours. Two weeks in, sell-outs have become a regular occurrence.
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“When you’re making everything fresh in small batches, sometimes the shelves do run out,” another resident said. “That’s not a sign of being unprepared, it’s usually a sign that demand is high and they’re trying to keep quality consistent.”
Layered, which comes from the team behind the bakery Chateau de Chantilly, offers a variety of pastries and desserts, as well as more than two dozen coffee and tea options.
“Our vision is for this to be a place where people come together — whether for a casual coffee catch-up, a family treat, or simply to enjoy something special,” owner Choi said when plans for Layered were announced earlier this summer. “We hope to become Fairfax City’s go-to spot for great coffee and desserts.”
Taking over a standalone building previously occupied by McDonald’s, the cafe renovated the 3,600-square-foot space with help from a Façade and Interior Improvement Grant awarded by Fairfax City Economic Development.
The store is currently open daily from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. No specific date for a grand opening has been publicly announced.
