Lindsay Hays Saraj and her husband, John Saraj, have made Highland Beach their residential home and Delray Beach the home of their bakery cafe, Paris Baguette. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
John Saraj has a background in hospitality while wife, Lindsay Hays Saraj, has spent her career in public relations and marketing. When the Highland Beach couple decided to open a cafe not long ago, they decided on a chain that had no previous presence in South Florida.
The result was Paris Baguette, a bright and airy bakery on Federal Highway just south of Linton Boulevard and Trader Joe’s plaza in Delray Beach. The chain has two other locations in the state, in Winter Park and Winter Garden.
“We looked in a variety of places and felt like this area didn’t have anything like this,” said Lindsay.
“We had a big patio here and the location is pretty accessible,” she said. “We get people who appreciate what we’re doing and the artisanal aspect of this. Once they come, they come back. They’ll say, ‘We wish we had this in Miami.’”
Lindsay grew up in the Midwest but had moved to New York when the couple was married. After having their first of two children, they decided seven years ago they would prefer to raise their family in South Florida and found their spot in Highland Beach.
The restaurant space was vacant when they found it in a small shopping plaza. The bakery opened in April and is gearing up for its first season.
Aside from the rows of brightly lit pastries and confections, Lindsay is proud of a mural that covers the entire south wall. It depicts several aspects of life in Delray Beach, from tennis to golf to the bridges spanning the Intracoastal Waterway to people strolling Atlantic Avenue.
Having the bakery minutes from the family home and easily accessible from the barrier island helped the decision to locate in Delray Beach.
“The access to other towns [was good] and it had plenty of parking,” Lindsay Saraj said. “We were very excited to bring the products here, because we think they’re incredible.
We thought the community would love it and we hope they do. It’s near where we live, our kids loving coming here, we love doing sweets and hope the community enjoys it.”
— Brian Biggane
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school? How do you think that has influenced you?
A: Growing up in the Midwest, in Carmel, Indiana, a great town to grow up in, I was surrounded by a lot of family-oriented, down-to-earth people, with a “do what you say” kind of mentality. It has influenced me in my personal and professional life to be forthright and hardworking.
I majored in both communications and business at Miami University in Ohio. Writing came naturally to me and I loved people, so public relations was a better route. I love having clients, connecting with them, and finding their needs, and I learned a lot about business as well.
When later I studied abroad in Luxembourg, I not only furthered my love of literature, but my interest in freshly baked sweets.
Q: What professions have you worked in? What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
A: I’ve had a lifelong career in public relations and marketing. After hooking up with a global firm, Weber Shandwick, right out of college, I started my own PR firm in Chicago, working with a variety of restaurants, hotels and talented chefs. Chicago is an amazing town and there are a lot of marketing and communication opportunities. ... Eventually my repertoire expanded, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the hospitality industry.
One of the professional accomplishments I’m most proud of is opening Paris Baguette in Delray. It feels like a culmination of many things: serving our community, a business with my husband that brings joy to others and one that our children can enjoy as well.
Q: What advice do you have for a young person seeking a career today?
A: Pursue your passions. If you do what you love or comes naturally, you won’t feel like you’re working. This coupled with hard work and determination is a recipe for success and fulfillment.
Q: How did you choose to make your home in Highland Beach?
A: We explored up and down the east coast of Florida and we felt like this beach town was so special, a true gem.
Q: What is your favorite part about living in Highland Beach?
A: The mix of beach and Intracoastal access on the barrier island is unique. The people are warm and friendly, and I can honestly say we feel lucky to call it home every day.
Q: What book are you reading now?
A: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid. I’m reading it for the book club I’m a part of, with other tennis players (and this book happens to be about tennis). It’s interesting because I picked it up before it was even assigned in our book club. It’s about a tennis player who is ranked No. 1 or 2 in the world, who is past her prime but then gets pushed to make a comeback.
Q: What music do you listen to when you want to relax? When you want to be inspired?
A: I love a wide range of music and listen to it throughout the day. Everything from rock, chill house music, to dancing to Rihanna with my daughter, to Billy Joel, Queen, and I can’t leave out ’80s hits.
Q: Have you had mentors in your life? Individuals who have inspired your life decisions?
A: Through some of my inspirational work events such as TEDx Events and Women’s Entrepreneurship Day I’ve been inspired by female leaders determined to evolve and innovate. Clients that have put a lot of trust in me through the years certainly keep me activated, and my parents and family taught me about civility and grace.
I’m very self-driven but also always wanted to have someone to look up to. If there’s one person I could name it would be Maye Musk. Her story is inspirational because she figured out different ways to be successful on her own and support her family. She’s raised interesting children, written a book, and signed with IMG Models after the age of 70.
Q: If your life story were to be made into a movie, who would play you?
A: I have no idea! The actress I can remember being told I resemble is a woman who was big in the ’70s; her name is spelled the same as mine, Lindsay Wagner.
Q: Who/what makes you laugh?
A: Watching our son make impressions and be silly.
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