Is Artisan Francais Bakery closed?

By CHARLES FERRUZZA

Hey, I’m all for getting away for a petit vacance when there’s an opportunity to take a little vacation time. But fans of Overland Park’s Artisan Francais, A French Bakery are wondering whether the “vacation” that owners Sebastien and Brianna Saint-Ouen have taken from their business at 6759 West 119th Street might be permanent.

The phone number is still being answered by a recorded message that the owners are “on vacation until Sunday, October 26. Please come and see us on Monday, October 27.” The phone service is no longer recording messages.

Several people have told me that the bakery did not reopen on October 27 and hasn’t been open for some time. I drove out twice to see for myself — during the listed business hours — and the venue was closed and the pastry case empty. A stack of newspapers remained outside the front door. The bakery’s Web site is no longer functioning, either.

I haven’t had any luck reaching the owners, but I’m starting to think that there’s a marzipan-flavored mystery here. Could the business be moving? Did it close forever? I’ll split a chocolate eclair with the first reader who comes up with the answer.