Women in Addis (V): Amakeletch and La Parisienne pastry shop
Amakeletch Teferi is another woman entrepreneur who runs a successful business in Addis. Initially trained as an agronomist, she set up the chain of café-bakeries La Parisienne a with her family 15 years ago. It all started when she realised that her mother was crossing the whole city at peak time to buy the bread she liked, so Amakeletch suggested to her to set up a bakery nearby. At the time, her brother was working in France so he learnt to bake bread and make croissants the French way, and on his return they opened their first shop. It was also one of the first European-style bakery in Addis. “That’s how it all started,” she said.
Her other siblings joined in at a later stage and today the family owns four shops and is planning to open a fifth one in town. They sell everything from fresh baguette to croissants and other continental pastries. Amaki (as she is known in her friends and family circle) and her siblings went to school at the French Lycée in Addis so they were very familiar with France. Amaki herself is a true “Parisienne”, she is married to a French man and often travels to France. She may be one of the busiest women in Addis, being involved in many different social circles, but she still finds the energy to do more. She is currently building a brand new resort-hotel in Adama (also known as Nazret), a smaller but busy town about two hours east of Addis on the road to Dire Dawa. For her, Adama is a childhood place where she used to go to with her family during the rainy season in July and August. That’s where people from Addis went to escape the city because of the lower altitude and warmer climate. She says there is a need for a vacation type of hotel in that area where people can go to relax and have a good time. She is planning to build a swimming-pool, an artificial lake and a stable for horse-riding. In fact, the name of her hotel, La Residence, suggests just that: a place to feel at home away from the hustle and bustle of sprawling Addis Ababa.
I will keep this name in mind, if my steps ever bring me to Addis Ababa.
Since mine with lead me to Addis next week, I’d like to have the location, please.
Hi…there are several La Parisienne shops: the better known ones are on Tele Bole road near Edna Mall, and on Meskel flower road, close to the Dembel City shopping Mall. Another place to try is Enrico in Piazza, it is an old Italian café and Pastry shop, quite atmospheric!
Well, since my steps will lead me to Addis next week, can I have the exact location, please.