A New Place in Vanadzor: There’s Always Something Sweet Waiting for You Here
Shamam Khachatryan has created a charming little corner of France in Vanadzor.
Her bakery café has become a favorite destination not only for locals but also for travelers. Every day, starting at 10 a.m., the café opens its doors. Guests are welcomed by the aroma of freshly baked croissants and homemade jams. Shamam makes sure there is something for everyone’s taste, while encouraging people to enjoy plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Whenever you’re in Vanadzor, make sure to visit Shamam’s Macarons, located at 19 Myasnikyan Street.
Mrs. Shamam is a warm and caring woman with a kind smile and gentle manners. She prepares everything with genuine joy and great attention, putting enormous effort into making sure every bite is both delicious and wholesome.
This is how I imagine her mornings.
She wakes up early, tucks her hair beneath a floral cap, ties on her apron, and begins baking. Carefully, she selects each ingredient, making sure everything is fresh and of the highest quality.
Throughout the day, this caring woman continues creating irresistible pastries and desserts.
We managed to steal just ten minutes of her time—and no more. The croissants simply couldn’t stay in the oven for a minute longer.
“Years ago, I kept thinking that Vanadzor didn’t have a place where people could truly feel at home. I was almost jealous when people had to travel to Yerevan or Gyumri just to enjoy a good croissant. The idea never left my mind. I dreamed of creating a small place where everything would feel just like home. I enrolled in French macaron-making courses, and that became the beginning of everything. Before that, I had already been baking various desserts at home and sharing them with family and friends.”
“I truly believe everything happens at the right time. My children grew up, and I no longer had to help take care of my grandchildren. That’s when I realized I wanted to build something for myself. I hadn’t really done anything just for me.”
“For my 55th birthday, I gave myself a production workshop. That’s how this place was born—not as a café at first, but as a bakery.”
“Over the past two years, I’ve welcomed so many guests. I genuinely love connecting with people. Just as I warm their hearts, they fill mine with new emotions.”
“I fall asleep thinking about what new pastry I could create, how I can present it in a more interesting way, and what new flavors I can invent.”
“The aroma is what brings many people here. Guests often tell me they kept following the scent of freshly baked croissants until they finally discovered where it was coming from.”
“There is so much love in this place. Everything I do brings me immense joy. I even talk to the dough—I love it. This is the work of my life, and I’m happy that I’ve finally found it.”
The interview was over. Our ten minutes had come to an end.
It was time to take the croissants out of the oven.
