Ocemiam opens first kiosk at Washington Square

Oregon bakery brand Ocemiam has opened its first permanent retail kiosk at Washington Square in Tigard, giving holiday shoppers daily access to French Baby Cakes, French Banana Bread and free samples. The move gives the brand a new way to build awareness for its more than 30 Portland-area retail doors and planned national expansion.

Why it matters: - Ocemiam now has a permanent storefront-style presence in Washington Square, one of the region’s busiest shopping destinations. - The kiosk gives the French bakery brand a daily place to sample products, explain the category and push shoppers back to grocery partners that already carry the brand. - The timing positions Ocemiam for holiday gifting, when traffic and impulse purchases are strongest.

What happened: - Ocemiam opened its first permanent retail kiosk at Washington Square in Tigard, Oregon. - The kiosk is open daily and gives shoppers access to the brand’s full lineup, free samples and holiday gifts. - The opening comes as the holiday shopping season begins.

The details: - The kiosk is at 9585 SW Washington Square Rd, Tigard, OR 97223, near Bath & Body Works, Levi’s and Aritzia. - Hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Daily offers include free samples, gifts and a special offer. - Shoppers can buy gift-ready boxes of French Baby Cakes, French Banana Bread, gift cards and Ocemiam-branded socks. - Ocemiam’s French Baby Cakes are inspired by the French financier, a classic almond cake traditionally baked in a gold-bar shape. - The brand reimagines the cake as a round, single-serve product that looks like a mini muffin but is intended to eat like a French pastry. - The cakes are made with almond flour and French butter and are naturally gluten-free. - Ocemiam says the Baby Cakes stay moist for two to three weeks. - The lineup includes five flavors: Almond, Pistachio, Raspberry, Hazelnut and Chocolate. - French Banana Bread is made with caramelized bananas, French flour, French butter and crème fraîche. - French Banana Bread and the Chocolate Baby Cake are the kiosk’s best sellers so far. - Over the past two years, Ocemiam has expanded to more than 30 retail doors across the Portland metro area. - Those doors include New Seasons Market, Zupan’s Markets, World Foods and three locations at Portland International Airport. - Ocemiam also ships nationwide from Ocemiam.com. - The company has built awareness through pop-up events including Portland Night Market, Portland Flea, First Thursday and Flock Friday.

Between the lines: - The kiosk is a customer-education tool as much as a sales channel. - Kevin Ouattara said pop-ups showed the team that in-person tasting and explanation can convert first-time buyers into repeat customers. - He said the kiosk lets Ocemiam have that conversation every day. - Ocemiam is treating the kiosk as a physical extension of shelf space, where shoppers can discover a new category and then look for the brand again at retail partners. - Washington Square gives the company high foot traffic and a home-market advantage, since Ocemiam’s corporate office is five minutes away.

What’s next: - Ocemiam plans nationwide expansion next. - The kiosk is expected to keep driving awareness for the brand’s grocery distribution in the Portland area. - Ocemiam will continue offering nationwide shipping through Ocemiam.com.

The bottom line: - Ocemiam is betting that sampling and holiday foot traffic can turn a niche French pastry concept into a repeat retail habit.