Macarons Are Taking Over Somerville

A baker with a focus on macarons who currently operates out of Boston Public Market plans to add a new location in Somerville. Chelsey Erickson has tapped a former liquor store at 594 Somerville Ave. for a future Finesse Pastries storefront, which could open later this year. The address is about halfway between Union and Porter squares, close to Moroccan Hospitality Restaurant, City Slicker Cafe, and Forge Baking Co.

Erickson founded Finesse Pastries in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 2012, running the business there for four years and raking in awards from local magazines before relocating to Boston Public Market. Finesse sells a lineup of French macarons, cakes, cream puffs, and fruit tarts, and Erickson offers classes in making macarons as well.

Macaron flavors available from Finesse include salted caramel, chocolate, raspberry, lavender honey, passion fruit, and more, and Erickson offers a charity flavor of the month (currently piña colada), donating 50 cents for each macaron sold. This month’s macaron benefits Good Sports Inc., a charity out of Quincy that helps provide sports equipment to kids in need.

While waiting for Finesse Pastries to open in Somerville, folks can get a taste of Erickson’s pastries at Boston Public Market from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Macaron lovers can also visit Maca at Somerville’s Bow Market, which is about a half mile from the future home of Finesse Pastries. Maca owner Tamy Chung features a variety of macarons decorated like animals and cartoon characters in addition to more traditional macarons in a range of flavors. And Salem’s Caramel French Patisserie has a fairly new location in Somerville’s Davis Square, offering macarons and lots of other French pastries.

• Finesse Pastries to Open in Somerville [BRT]
• New Patisserie Serves up French Macarons and Pastries in Boston Public Market [EBOS]
• Finesse Pastries [Official Site]