Ovens, customers fired up at new Panera Bread store

Tina Nordgren, 52, is a fan of the cinnamon crunch bagels at Panera Bread and the opening Monday in south Fort Myers is going to further fuel her addiction.

Nordgren, who lives in south Fort Myers, enjoyed a cinnamon crunch bagel on opening day of the store at Cleveland Avenue and Fowler Street.

"I used to drive to the Panera at Coconut Point every two weeks just to see when it would open," Nordgren said.

She has plans to become a regular at the new location. "This is just more accessible and I love the atmosphere in here."

Nordgren's rave review was just one of many on opening day, according to general manager Kim Scully. She helped hire the store's 54 associates and oversaw the training and opening of the store.

"People just come in here smiling," said Scully, pointing out a customer who smiled when he saw the menu. "He doesn't even know us and I can tell he will be a regular."

And becoming regulars are what Scully knows will happen to many customers who know the bakery's offerings or are discovering them for the first time.

"Fort Myers has been in desperate need of more food options," Scully said.

The store offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

"We are ecstatic that people just couldn't wait for us to open and are here to support us."

Supporting the bakery isn't difficult for customers because the menu has something for everyone.

"Their bread bowl soups are so good," said Amber Blevins, 20, of Fort Myers. She works at an eyeglass store at the Page Field Commons shopping plaza where Panera is located.

"It's so great that they are here now. I'll be a regular."

Panera Bread's new location is the third in southwest Florida. The other two are in Estero and Cape Coral.

Plans are under way for a store on U.S. 41 across from Coastland Center in Naples in December. Another store is planned at the Gateway Shoppes on Wiggins Pass in orth Naples in January.

"We will continue to look for sites and open more," said Jay Disser, Panera's district manager. "There is a warmth to our stores and people feel that they can stay and relax."