Bread, cakes and beyond

If there was a local award for the greatest variety of bread sold under one roof, Naroe’s Bakery would probably take the cake. The Armenian-American-owned bakery sells numerous types of its own fresh bread, but it also supplies pastries and sweets from other local ovens. On a visit to its recently opened new location (6451 Fair Oaks Boulevard in Carmichael), the store stocked dozens of fresh-baked selections including lavash (Middle Eastern flatbread), challah (Jewish egg bread), baguettes, sourdough bread, cakes and cookies. Up until a few weeks ago, Naroe’s resided in a smaller location down the street, where it had operated since opening in 1995. Now, in addition to baked goods, it sells a large selection of meats, cheeses, fresh produce, spices and nonperishable grocery items from all over the world. Chalk up this cosmopolitan selection to Armenia’s central location on the Afro-Eurasian landmass and its peoples’ historical greatness as worldwide traders.