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It’s been two months since a car crashed through the wall of Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery, knocking out power to the Swanton Street business and causing its closure just four days before the Christmas holidays.
Since then, Winchester residents have been wondering when the beloved bakery will re-open its doors.
The answer, it seems, is that the extreme cold weather has been keeping owners Mamadou and Mame Mbaye and their plans at a standstill.
Building Inspector Tom Kennedy said the bakery building itself is stable, but the damage done from the accident means the site still needs masonry work.
“He’s working through the process,” Kennedy said, of the situation. “They are try their best to open and we’re trying to help them to open. It’s tough to do the work because the concrete needs to cure.”
So, it’s just a matter of the masonry.
In an email, the Mbayes offered an update on how things are going.
“We spoke to several masons who are willing to do the work, but extreme winter weather requires heat to cure properly,” the couple wrote. “Unfortunately, the wall was severely damaged and it has to be fixed before the power can be restored from the ground up (which was completely damaged also.)
But the couple was heartened to hear so many people in Winchester are keeping them and their business in mind.
“Thank you for your concern and support, as we are working hard to re-open the bakery,” they said. “We cannot wait to welcome you all back and serve you again soon. With gratitude and love, Mame and Mamadou Mbaye.”
The accident
It was just after 6 o’clock on Dec. 21, 2024 when police were called to the 63 Swanton St. location of Mamadou’s Artisan Bakery for a report of a car that had crashed through the building.
Winchester Police said the driver, who lives in the area, was on his way home when he tried to take a left on Florence Street. The driver told police the car in front of him slammed on its brakes, causing him to try to avoid it.
The driver said his car skidded and struck Mamadou’s electrical panel, going through the wall.
Lt. Ed Donohue said the damage to the driver’s car was consistent to his story. He added the driver was not intoxicated or impaired and was uninjured.
He said the damage to Mamadou’s was the loss of both power and heat as well as the hole in the wall.
The Mbayes were onsite the day after the accident, cleaning up the interior of the store. The business, however, was closed and has been since the accident.
A GoFundMe raised $18,795 to help the family with expenses.
