Coquette Pâtisserie Brings French-Inspired Baking to Downtown Fergus Falls 

When Emily McCune moved to Fergus Falls 15 years ago from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she didn’t expect it to become home. But something about the community stayed with her. 

“I was 29 when I moved here, and it was the first time I ever really fell in love with a community,” she said. “I didn’t think I would live in a rural place again—but here I am.” 

Her path to opening Coquette Pâtisserie wasn’t linear, but it was always rooted in food. Emily worked in food retail, where she developed an interest in sustainability, local sourcing, and regional food systems. She later earned a degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production, deepening that connection. 

After working in local restaurants and launching a cottage bakery during the pandemic, she later started Sugar High, a small cannabis business in Fergus Falls. Each experience added to her skill set, but it was a trip to Paris in 2023 that brought everything into focus. 

“I decided I didn’t just want to open a bakery—I wanted to be a real pastry chef,” she said. 

She enrolled in the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in 2024 and is now completing her associate degree in Professional Pastry Arts. 

Building a Bakery That Feels Different 

Coquette Patisserie is designed around the idea of creating a welcoming, community-centered pastry and coffee experience. Emily has hired a team of six employees, including a full-time apprentice, baristas, and pastry support staff, to help bring her vision to life. 

At its core, the business follows a farm-to-table model, with a goal of sourcing as many ingredients as possible locally or regionally. 

“I really believe Coquette will be the first truly farm-to-table bakery here,” she said. “We can be doing more with local food, and I want to show what’s possible.” 

The menu centers on classic French techniques—croissants, macarons, and choux pastries—along with seasonal items, sandwiches, and espresso drinks. Everything is made from scratch, with careful attention to ingredients and process. 

“You can’t get a scratch-made croissant or macaron like this nearby,” she said. “That’s something I’m really excited to bring to the community.” 

Inspired by her time in Europe, Emily hopes to bring a different rhythm to downtown Fergus Falls. 

“This is the Parisian energy I want,” she said. “A place where people can come in, sit down, have a coffee and pastry, and just be part of something.” 

The Support Behind the Startup 

To help bring that vision to life, Emily partnered with West Central Initiative. With guidance from our lending team, she developed a detailed business plan and secured a $50,000 loan. 

“It was my first time going through something like that, and the process was really seamless,” she said. “It made a huge difference in being able to move forward.” 

“Our support helped bridge the gap between idea and execution, providing both the capital and confidence needed to take the next step,” said Phil Hintz, West Central Initiative Loan Officer. “For entrepreneurs like Emily, that partnership can be the difference between staying small and building something lasting.” 

Looking Ahead, One Year at a Time 

As Coquette prepares to open, Emily is focused on growing the business intentionally. 

The first year will be about building consistency and trust. She plans to offer a smaller, refined menu, train her staff thoroughly, and focus on producing high-quality pastries each day. Selling out consistently, rather than overproducing, is part of that strategy. 

In year two, she plans to expand. That includes adding more savory items, like quiche and take-home options, and increasing production capacity. As the team becomes more efficient, she also hopes to explore catering opportunities. 

By year three, Emily hopes to introduce evening hours centered on dessert and espresso service. 

“I love the idea of reopening in the evening,” she said. “A place where people can come after dinner, sit outside, and enjoy dessert together.” 

For now, the focus is on opening the doors and welcoming the community in. 

“This is about creating something meaningful,” she said. “I want to build something that people feel connected to.” 

Coquette Pâtisserie is expected to open in early June, bringing a new kind of pastry experience to downtown Fergus Falls. To learn more about how we support entrepreneurs like Emily, visit wcif.org/loans.