Building Hope: Preserving a Century-Old Legacy

Jalene Burka
Nov 19, 2025
3 min read

Before I even stepped inside La Boulangerie Marguerite, I could feel its history. The navy shade, the timeless lettering, the small patio tables, and the way the bakery sits on the corner all signaled a place woven into the neighborhood long before I arrived. Even from the sidewalk, I could tell this was more than a business. It was a landmark — a place that had shaped memories for generations.

Inside, I met François Kiemde, the owner. Warm, humble, and steady, he carries a story as rich as the pastries he creates. François was born in Burkina Faso and grew up in an academically driven family, never imagining a future as a chef. But life rerouted him. In 1995, he came to New York City, where he started washing dishes at a French restaurant on Madison Avenue.

It didn’t take long for people to notice his talent. He learned quickly, mastered the rhythm of the kitchen, and developed a deep fascination with bread. His dedication caught the attention of mentors who encouraged him to attend the French Culinary Institute. With support and determination, he completed his culinary education in New York and built a strong foundation in French, German, and Italian baking.

François eventually moved to Wisconsin, where he became known for his croissants, artisan breads, and warm presence. After running successful bakeries in Madison and building a reputation as a skilled pastry chef, life brought him to Minnesota. That journey led him to take over a century-old bakery in St. Paul.

When François and his partner purchased the bakery eight years ago, they inherited more than a building. They inherited a legacy. Over time, they rebranded it to La Boulangerie Marguerite, named after François’s daughter. The name honors his heritage and marks a new chapter while staying true to the history that shaped the place.

He spoke about the care it takes to honor customers who have been coming here since childhood. “Some people have been getting the same pastry for decades,” he told me. “You have to respect that.”

The neighborhood embraced him. Even during COVID, customers waited outside in the cold due to capacity limits because they wanted the bakery to survive. But behind the scenes, François was carrying heavy personal and financial stress. A difficult divorce nearly pushed him to the breaking point.

“There was a moment I was ready to give up,” he shared. “I thought I would lose the business. And I worried most about my employees. Some have been here 25 or 30 years.”

This is where his story meets ours.

AEDS comes into people’s lives at different stages. Some reach out during moments of excitement and growth, and others come during a chapter that feels uncertain. Wherever someone is on their journey, our role is to walk alongside them with guidance, compassion, and belief in what’s possible. François’s story reminds us that support doesn’t always begin at the start. Sometimes it arrives right in the middle, when it’s needed the most.

For years, he drove past AEDS on his daily trips to Restaurant Depot without ever coming inside. “Honestly,” he laughed, “I thought, no way these people even have one thousand dollars to help anyone. That building fooled me.”

It took the encouragement of a close friend and mentor to finally get him through our doors. “Go talk to them,” he said simply. “They will help you.”

Once he did, everything shifted.

He enrolled in our Entrepreneurship and Business Development Training, where he found not only practical tools but a community of peers. Through business advising and support, AEDS helped him stabilize the bakery and rethink what was possible.

“AEDS helped me keep my business running,” he told me. “The guidance I received made all the difference.”

Today, François employs thirty-seven staff members. His vision for the near future is to expand and open a second location — a vision grounded in connection, culture, and creativity.

“My dream has been to bring a loaf of bread to every Minnesotan table,” François shared. “Now, that dream feels possible again.”

As I walked away from the bakery, I looked back at the storefront that first caught my attention. What I sensed from the outside made perfect sense now. This bakery carries a legacy, and François is carrying it forward with heart and intention.

And AEDS is honored to walk with him as he writes his next chapter.