Pardon Brussels, what is it?

It is an espresso bar specializing in artisanal belgian waffles !

Robert and Marla's wish (the cook and the barista) was to open a real Belgian specialty coffeeshop where the waffle would be queen, to better honor this flagship of Belgian gastronomy. Because if the capital of Europe is drowning in waffles, too few are the real artisans who work with healthy, local, ethical, organic, fresh, seasonal products to cook these delicious squares.

In addition to the savory, sweet, filled Brussels waffles, which are served at the table in their coffee corner, the two gourmets have developed a whole range of waffles and cookies that are quick to conquer the hearts of both Belgian and foreign customers.

Pardon Brussels, in the future?

Pardon's project now is to offer its ethical cookies and waffles for sale, from their artisanal cookie-making workshop until their packaging. And with your contribution you'll support real artisans of Belgian gastronomy, but also a whole local production chain: from small producers who supply Pardon with fresh products, until artisans who work with Robert and Marla.

Supporting Pardon means encouraging integral economic activity while defending a gastronomic heritage that delights all customers regardless of their origin, social class or age. And who doesn't love waffles when they're made with as much love as good products?

Pardon Brussels : the beginnings

Pardon is Robert and Marla's baby. In another life, although already passionate about gastronomy, the first was a designer, the second a journalist. A life they did not hesitate to give up to implement their desire to live in accordance with their convictions by opening their own eco-responsible establishment.

The idea was to combine their respective skills, one in recipe development, the other in coffee making, to create a real temple of artisanal waffles and coffee in the heart of Brussels. With their savings and courage, they built with their own hands Pardon, which after several months of intense work, was able to see the light of day in October 2019.

From the work of creating Pardon, to production, ethics have always guided their decisions. From the choice of clean and handcrafted materials to recycling, including the drastic selection of local, organic and ethical suppliers, everything at Pardon aims to be eco-responsible.

With Pardon, Robert and Marla made a reality of their love of good things, and demonstrated that serving qualitative and ethical dishes at affordable prices was possible! They have worked tirelessly since the spring of 2019 to allow their "baby" to exist despite the Covid crisis.

And now they need you to help them grow!

Pardon Brussels in a few key dates :

2018-2019 : Robert and Marla are creating the project, finding a location, obtaining loans and this kind of administrative funny stuff.

April 2019 : The gestation begins in Saint-Gilles. The two partners put their toolboxes at 36 Moscow street, in a place where everything is to do, on a corner close to the festive Saint-Gilles Parvis but quieter. Robert and Marla, through their work, get to know their neighborhood: a warm and simple street where life is good, where we greet each other from the balconies, where shopkeepers and residents help each other. There is Giovanni who shares his oranges, William who offers his arms, Karima always curious about the progress of the work, Bruno and his advice on the surrounding businesses... Pardon found a cradle which resembles their vision and where Robert and Marla feel good.

October 2019 : After months of work carried out almost exclusively by the founders, under the benevolent eye of the locals, Pardon serves up its first waffles and drinks with palpable excitement.

2019-2020 : The customers are there. Better, they come back again and again ! The two gourmets, in addition to working with fresh, organic, seasonal, local products and products with respect for animal welfare that appeal to them, are gradually developing new recipes and enriching their menu with vegan creations. The salty and sweet Brussels waffles are a hit, and coffee lovers are thrilled. Robert and Marla begin to innovate, to test filled waffles, to revisit Flanders waffles, to develop new recipes for speculoos and cookies. They are also launching the "Pardons", a creation consisting of small brioche waffles filled and iced... The first of a long serie will be the "Pater" : filled with cocoa cream, hazelnuts and almonds, with coffee and hazelnuts from Piemont icing.

March 2020 : The two partners are like everyone else: helpless, locked up, worried. The idea of offering their meals and drinks to take away is mentioned. But the streets around Parvis are hopelessly empty.

June 2020 : Pardon wakes up! The two business creators returned to work seven days a week without paying themselves until the situation recovered. The customers are there, the sky is blue, everything looks perfect... The financial situation is restored in a few months without increasing its prices and the projects projected for 2020 can be considered again: hire a full-time help to relieve Robert and Marla a little and especially to develop the artisanal workshop of homemade waffles and cookies!

September 2020 : Auriane joins the team, she likes the intensity of the weekend rushes, the pralines and the chocolate. The team has fun and the future looks bright. In parallel with Auriane’s training, Robert and Marla are developing the Pardon site to create a “click and collect”. They are making new financial plans to expand the cookie sales at Pardon and beyond, and prepare the launch for Christmas 2020.

October 2020 : The closure of all establishments as Pardon is decreed. If the funds make it possible to hold and pay fixed charges and suppliers of Pardon, they do not allow the investments for the cookie-waffle factory...

And now?

The team faces a choice : wait for the storm to pass and risk repeating the same exhausting scenario all over again? Or try to launch the new range of artisanal cookies and waffles and bet on the future?

From today you can take action and help Pardon to invest :
by buying its sweets and goodies, you contribute to the creation of the artisanal workshop!

Photos credits : EquinoxLightPhoto, Benjamin Roi and Pardon Brussels

Pardon Brussels, gaufres et biscuits artisanaux et éthiques

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