Explicit Streetwear shop owner bringing bakery chain to Aurora, Colorado Springs

For 14 years, Annie Song has been selling graphic tees and edgy jeans.

Now she hopes you’ll try her croissants and quiches.

The owner of Explicit Streetwear, which has operated in The Town Center At Aurora since 2009, is preparing to expand the Paris Baguette bakery chain’s presence in the Denver area.

Song, 40, has signed a deal allowing her to open four Paris Baguette locations in the region, the first of which she plans to open at 10601 E. Garden Drive in Aurora in July.

After Song’s store had to temporarily shut down during the pandemic, she said she realized she needed to expand her business portfolio. So, last February, she applied to become a Paris Baguette franchisee.

“Food was an essential business during COVID, so it kind of just opened up my eyes,” Song said.

The bakery and cafe sells pastries, cakes and breads, as well as salads and sandwiches. It has roughly 150 locations in the United States, including one in Park that opened under separate ownership in March.

Song, whose favorite item is the Pain au Chocolat, said she fell in love with the brand on trips to New York and Los Angeles.

“I would frequent their pastry shops and it just brought great joy,” Song said.