Freshening it up at Olga's Cup and Saucer
A pioneering Providence bakery-cafe is in the midst of a makeover. After about three decades in business, Olga’s Cup & Saucer, in the Jewelry District, is getting some upgrades, including an expanded patio and a new bar.
A 50-seat patio is expected to open by the end of April, while the bar, in a small shed on the Richmond Street side of the property, is set to debut in May. Named Tiny Bar, it will serve cocktails, beer and wine in an intimate atmosphere.
Meanwhile, some changes have already gone into effect. The menu has been updated to include trendier items like sourdough avocado toast and a rum-spiked horchata latte. Gluten-free sweets and to-go sandwiches are also now available.
New owner Joanne Chang is overseeing the renovations. Former owners Olga Bravo and Becky Wagner sold the business to her at the end of 2017.
“We wanted to wait before letting customers know we sold the business, giving Joanne time,” Bravo said.
Chang, who has a background in finance, learned that Bravo and Wagner were selling the bakery-cafe through a real estate listing. “It seemed like a great opportunity to take something that had really great brand recognition, and a really great location and bones, and just give it a little TLC,” she said.
Chang, of Providence, is often mistaken for the owner of Boston-based Flour Bakery who shares her name.
“It’s created some comedic email exchanges, where people are like, I love your cookbook, I love your sticky buns, and I’m like, thank you, that’s really nice, but I’m not her,” she said. “I was told to run with it, but I can’t.”
While instituting the changes, Chang has also made a point to retain many of the things that have made Olga’s successful. The artsy, oasis-in-the-city atmosphere hasn’t changed much; the recipes for the artisan breads and pastries have remained the same; and the menu still features soups, salads and sandwiches made with local ingredients. She has also continued selling Olga’s baked goods at farmers' markets in Providence, North Kingstown and Newport.
When the outdoor renovations are complete, Chang plans to fix up the interior, formerly a gas station and garage. She’s also considering opening a second location.
But the name will always remain Olga’s. “They did such a good job building it up,” Chang said. “How could we change that?”
Bravo started the artisan bread company in Little Compton in 1988, and then moved the business to Providence with Wagner in 1990. They are both now teaching at Johnson & Wales College of Culinary Arts.
Bravo and Wagner also have created a new business, The Golden Trout, through which they sell artistic burlap market bags at farmers' markers in Newport and other locations.
Chang, who has three young daughters, said she’s inspired by what Bravo and Wagner built.
“Olga and Becky were females running a small business before that became common,” Chang said. “I want to continue that tradition and show my daughters that a woman can be an entrepreneur and invest in her community.”
Details: Olga’s Cup & Saucer, 103 Point St., Providence. (401) 831-6666, olgasinpvd.com. Open Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 3 p.m.