La Vita Dolce Construction Moving Forward

The Carnation got a peek at progress at La Vita Dolce, the eagerly awaited bakery, deli and café that local businessman Todd Arsenault is opening in the former Santander Bank at 1866 Main St.

Arsenault, along with co-owners Ronald Pereira and Michael Parziale, had hoped to open before Christmas, but supply chain and design challenges and a desire to make sure everything is “just right for customers” will likely push the launch date into January. However, by the second week in December, Arsenault says enough finishes will be in place to provide a look at the final layout. He’s taken inspiration from a certain high-end department store for flooring and credits his wife for the fixtures and authentic Italian design elements.

Arsenault is updating the building with new beige paint and a backlit sign. Workers are updating the bank drive-through to serve coffee, pastries and sandwiches, and the former bank vault will serve as dry storage. A new refrigerated walk-in will be installed on a pad at the back of the building, and some top pastry and other chefs are signed on.

Arsenault and his partners received a full liquor license, and the bar will have views of the outdoor seating area.

A glassed viewing window will offer customers a peek at fresh pastries and breads being made in-house.

The vision for the business is to offer breakfast, lunch and coffee and pastries, opening in time to serve students and residents on their way to work and closing in mid to late afternoon.

The new color and motif will continue throughout the storefronts, including new back-lit signage for Angelina’s, and coordinates with the dark charcoal color of the Tree House Brewing building located just across Livingston St.