Introduction:The Manner bakery specialty store in Chongqing MixC has closed due to the expiration of its lease. This flagship store, which opened in 2021, was not only the brand’s first location in the city but also the only one among its 18 branches that offered freshly baked bread. This article delves into the reasons behind the closure, consumer feedback, explores Manner’s bakery strategy in the Chongqing market, and provides practical suggestions for finding alternative affordable coffee and bread pairings.

The Manner bakery specialty store in Chongqing MixC has officially ceased operations. Since its opening in 2021, this popular branch was well-loved by customers, but it has now shut down due to the lease expiring and the brand deciding not to renew it. Notably, this was the only one of Manner’s 18 Chongqing outlets that sold freshly baked bread, and its closure has had a significant impact on local consumers.

According to on-site observations, the store was located in a prime central area of the mall, featuring a spacious and comfortable environment where fresh baked goods were made daily. For office workers nearby, it was not only an ideal spot to purchase Manner’s famous “poor man’s set” — arriving just after 7 AM allowed customers to easily grab a bread pairing with their coffee for breakfast, saving both time and hassle.

Although there is still a Manner beverage-only outlet on the third floor of the north area of the mall, that branch is smaller and only serves drinks, unable to meet the high demand for bread products. Moreover, going up to the third floor to pick up an order requires taking an elevator, which is clearly inconvenient for time-pressed commuters, making the loss of the original bakery outlet even more regrettable.

After the closure was announced, many regular customers expressed strong disappointment. Some loyal patrons specifically visited the store before it shut to take photos as keepsakes, and online discussions have been filled with lament over the disappearance of the “poor man’s set.” One customer bluntly stated: “Where will I go for cheap bread and coffee now?”, “So sad, my regular work breakfast is gone!” and “I’ve lost my happiness, my poor man’s set is gone, and so is a little joy from my workday,” fully reflecting the unique place this store held in the hearts of local consumers.

The pricing at this Manner bakery outlet was affordable and the quality consistently reliable, making it a long-time favorite among customers. In addition to walk-in purchases, many delivery users would also use this store to meet the minimum order threshold — when an order didn’t reach the required amount, adding a bread item became a common solution. For many consumers, the closure of this bakery is undoubtedly a major blow.

It is worth noting that the third floor of the north area of the mall was also previously home to a Lelecha outlet that sold baked goods, but that store also recently pulled out due to lease issues. Now, with Manner leaving soon after, consumers who were accustomed to buying baked goods at MixC for breakfast face even greater challenges in adapting.

In response to the consumers’ disappointment, many netizens have suggested that the brand should consider the demand in the Chongqing market and reopen a bakery specialty store in other high-footfall malls within the city. Some enthusiastic fans have even taken the initiative to analyze the potential of various commercial districts and offer Manner location suggestions for new stores. Observations have also pointed out that among existing Manner outlets, there are quite a few with relatively large spaces and the infrastructure to accommodate a baking production area — with appropriate modifications, perhaps the much-missed baked goods could make a return to the market.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.