The Allard Bistro & Bakery - Coming Soon!

French Flavor Meets Small-Town Charm in Downtown Valdese

A prime corner in downtown Valdese is entering an exciting new chapter and will soon be filled with the aromas of fresh bread, pastries, and French-inspired cuisine.

The building located at 100 Main Street East has been in the local spotlight quite a bit recently. In late January, a previous offer to purchase the building resulted in the closing of the popular restaurant 100 Main. The community truly mourned the loss of the local hangout especially when the potential buyer backed out and the building went back on the market with Coldwell Banker – Newton Real Estate.

Recognizing the opportunity this iconic downtown location presented, new owner Ryan Cook began discussions with Guigou Brothers, Inc. in late April to purchase the building. The sale was finalized on Friday, June 5, and plans are already underway to transform the space while honoring its role as a cornerstone of downtown Valdese. Cook has great plans for the 1930’s building. The exterior will receive a facelift with new paint, patio seating and signage while preserving the historic features of the building. The interior will proudly become home to The Allard Bakery & Bistro .

Opening in Hudson in June of 2024, The Allard Bakery & Bistro is a destination for casual fine dining offering a wide variety of patisserie, specialty salads, pastas, steaks and unique specials from locally sourced ingredients. Chef Brenda Mora-Tilem and her siblings began the bakery and bistro in honor of their father, Rick Allard. Chef Mora-Tilem is originally from California where she attended culinary school and began her career in the restaurant industry. She trained under Michelin Star chefs, catered for the Grammy’s and while working for Mastro’s, known to be the “Rolex of Steakhouses” opened locations in New York and Washington.

Her love for French cuisine began when she moved to San Francisco and trained under world-renowned chef, Roland Passot. Since relocating to North Carolina to be with her husband as he completed his residency at UNC, she became a mother to three boys and brought her experience and passion to life through The Allard.

Her success at the Hudson location has allowed Chef Mora-Tilem to pursue a new opportunity in Valdese, where a larger footprint will allow for expanded seating, a broader menu, and continued growth of the dining experience they have become so well known for. Her plans for the Valdese location will include a corner bakery that will be visible from the front windows, where chocolate, bread, and patisserie will be made and on display to those who pass by. The bar area will offer specialty cocktails, local craft beers and wines.

At night, the venue will transition to fine dining showcasing steaks, pastas, and seafood becoming a destination for diners in the surrounding region. Recent diners have praised menu favorites ranging from rich Kobe beef burgers to delicate chocolate croissants, while repeat customers frequently highlight the restaurant’s commitment to quality ingredients, attention to detail, and welcoming customer service that keeps guests returning time and again.

Chef Mora-Tilem is excited to bring her vision to life on the prime corner of Main Street. She is looking forward to creating a welcoming destination for both residents and visitors while continuing the legacy of a building that has long served as a gathering place in Valdese. She plans to open five days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner in late September. Updates about their progress will be available on their social media pages.

As plans move forward, this project represents another exciting investment in downtown and reflects Valdese’s continued commitment to creating a vibrant Main Street for generations to come.