Third 'Stellina' Opening Planned In Petaluma

PETALUMA, CA — Chef Christian Caiazzo and Katrina Fried are expanding their Petaluma restaurant family with a third Stellina concept, transforming a vacant storefront at Lakeville Square into a new bakery and café.

City of Petaluma building permits show the owners are remodeling a 1,503-square-foot commercial space at 2620 Lakeville Highwa for the new business. The permits identify the project as a bakery and café.

The Lakeville Square café marks the latest expansion for Caiazzo and Fried, who shifted their focus to Petaluma after closing Osteria Stellina in Point Reyes Station. Since then, they have opened two Italian concepts in downtown Petaluma.

Stellina Pronto, at 23 Kentucky St., operates as an Italian bakery, café, and casual takeout spot serving Linea coffee, pastries including lemon ricotta puffs and kouign-amann, savory sandwiches, and pizza.

A short distance away, Stellina Alimentari, at 160 Petaluma Blvd. N. in the former Thistle Meats space, combines a traditional Italian market, deli, and bottle shop. The shop offers house-made sandwiches, antipasti, salads, charcuterie, prepared meal kits, and a curated selection of wine and beer.

The new Lakeville Square location appears poised to build on that formula, bringing another neighborhood-focused bakery and café to Petaluma's east side. While the business has not announced an opening date, work is continuing with a few hurdles to clear.

The expansion adds another locally owned food business to Lakeville Square and extends the Stellina brand beyond downtown as Caiazzo and Fried continue investing in Petaluma's growing dining scene.

The new café also continues the slate of caffein and carb businesses at Lakeville Square. After Noah's Bagels shut down, the location was occupied by Bright Bear Bakery, a locally owned bakery that earned a loyal following for its pastries and breads, followed by Tea Rex Boba.