Most bakeries in our city open early in the morning, but there is one that does things differently. Carlo's bakery opens at ten o'clock at night and stays open until six in the morning. He realised that people who work late shifts — nurses, taxi drivers, factory workers — had nowhere to buy fresh bread or pastries when they finished work.
At first, not many people knew about the bakery. Carlo put a small sign outside, but the street was dark and quiet at that time of night. A local journalist wrote about it, and suddenly people from all over the city wanted to visit.
The bakery is small and simple. There are only four tables inside, and the menu is short. Carlo says he would rather make a few things perfectly than offer a wide choice of average quality.
What makes the bakery special is not just the food, though. Night workers sit together sharing stories about their shifts, and strangers often end up talking for hours. Carlo keeps the lights low and plays quiet jazz music, which gives the place a warm and relaxed feeling.
Carlo has had offers to open a bigger bakery in a busier part of the city. He says the bakery was created for the people of this neighbourhood, and that is where it will stay.
Options (8 for 5 gaps — some are not used)
1Then, one night, everything changed
2However, he has turned them all down
3Carlo came up with the idea after working as a night security guard for several years
4He decided to close the bakery and look for a different job
5But everything Carlo makes — from his sourdough bread to his almond croissants — is excellent
6It has become a place where people connect during the quietest hours of the city
7The bakery also serves a full breakfast menu with eggs and bacon
8Carlo has always preferred working during the day