PLEASANTON, CALIFORNIA — A prominent former bank building in downtown Pleasanton is getting a much more delicious second act.
Maison Benoit, the acclaimed French bakery in downtown Danville, plans to open a second location at 337 Main Street in early 2027.
The bakery will occupy the former Bank of America branch next to Zachary’s Chicago Pizza. It is a substantial space for a bakery — and a particularly prominent location near the southern entrance to Pleasanton’s downtown shopping and dining district.
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From Bank Branch to French Bakery
Bank of America closed the Main Street branch in August 2024 after customer traffic failed to return to its previous level.
The branch had been closed from March 2020 through December 2022. After reopening, the bank reportedly found that many customers had permanently shifted to online banking or other nearby locations.
The building had already undergone one notable change before the bank’s departure. Bank of America gave up part of its space to make room for an expansion that brought Zachary’s Chicago Pizza into the neighboring storefront.
Now Maison Benoit is preparing to bring new activity — and plenty of butter — to the remaining former bank space.
The bakery is expected to open in early 2027, although an exact opening date, final hours and details about the layout have not yet been announced.
One of the Bay Area’s Most Celebrated Croissants
Maison Benoit opened at 402 Railroad Avenue in Danville in January 2024 and quickly attracted a loyal following.
The bakery was founded by Benoit Vialle, who left careers in technology and the wine industry to pursue his interest in French baking. Head baker Lucile Espeillac previously worked at La Tour d’Argent, the historic Paris restaurant whose history reaches back centuries.
Maison Benoit serves breads, croissants, pastries, individual cakes and coffee alongside a larger breakfast and lunch menu. Current offerings include crepes, quiches, omelets, salads, soups, sandwiches and paninis.
Its croissants have become the main attraction.
In 2025, Maison Benoit won the grand prize at the Best Croissant San Francisco competition, beating an unusually strong field of Bay Area bakeries. Backhaus finished second and San Francisco’s Maison Nico placed third.
The bakery’s traditional croissants are made with butter imported from Normandy. Maison Benoit has also experimented with creations including the “crownie,” a croissant stuffed with brownie.
Winning the competition transformed an already busy Danville bakery into one of the Bay Area’s most closely watched pastry shops. The Pleasanton expansion will give Tri-Valley customers another place to try its croissants without making the trip to Danville.
It will also fill one of downtown Pleasanton’s most noticeable vacant commercial spaces.
Maison Benoit’s new bakery is planned for 337 Main Street in Pleasanton. The company is targeting an opening in early 2027.
