Now that we have French macarons, what is University Boulevard becoming?

With Monday's opening of Woops Bakeshop, now you can get a caramel coated mini stroopwafel and a $29 box of meringue cookies all before you walk into chem class.

The franchise owners Ellie and Naomi Lippel turned what was an urbanwear clothing store at 845 E. University Blvd. into a Pinterest-y replica of a Parisian sidewalk cafe, complete with rustic white wood paneling and potted flowers on the tables. The store's specialty macarons are shipped in frozen from New York and baked in a cute mini oven behind the counter.    

The precious little things taste like "biting into a cloud," according to my coworker, but are considerably more expensive at $2.50 apiece.

Could this new pastry shop be the turning point for University Boulevard, or is it just the icing on the cake?

In the past few years, we've seen ...

— Wilko change from a grocery store to a gourmet wine bar

— The Fat Greek, creator of Tucson's best Greek salad, turn into the full-service restaurant Pelio Grill 

— "Urban farm" restaurant Pasco open in the casual breakfast spot Cafe Paraiso

Back to homepage

Subscriber Login

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Subscribe now

— Gourmet barbecue joint Red's Smokehouse move into the Which Which sandwich shop

Here's what's coming up in the future 

— Tucson's first "food in a cup" restaurant Cup it Up American Grill plans to open its second location in the recently closed Silver Mine Subs, 760 N. Tyndall Ave. The location is expected to open later this fall, and still looks empty on the inside right now. 

Just in case you're curious, this video from Cup it Up's Facebook page explains what the restaurant is all about ... Yes, they serve quinoa. 

— The pizza and beer joint No Anchovies, 870 E. University Blvd., will be closed for several more months while it's undergoing an extensive remodel. Kris Siuda of the Marshall Foundation told me they're planning to double the size of the space and add a full nightclub in the back. Owners have been tight-lipped about when they'll be ready to open, but you can follow the restaurant on Instagram for pictures and updates.

— And finally, Frog and Firkin at 874 E University Blvd. is currently expanding and remodeling its kitchen. (The restaurant has remained open during the repairs.) When it's done in mid September, look for an expanded menu with new items like burgers and stuffed steaks, salmon and brisket. Later in November, the restaurant also plans to add a covered deck in the back with big screen TVs and those chic sliding garage doors that everybody loves.