Hundreds of people stand in the shaded alley across the street from downtown Gilbert’s iconic water tower. Typically quiet in the morning, with a few families playing at the plaza park or truck drivers making deliveries, the area is buzzing. Daily crowds now stretch down Page Avenue and horseshoe onto the town’s main drag, Gilbert Road. The most dedicated arrive before dawn, the savviest bring chairs, drinks or their laptops.
They’re not waiting to meet Devin Booker or buy tickets to the latest arena tour. Instead, these people are eagerly waiting for the chance to buy one of Will Porter’s viral French-inspired pastries.
Sablé Boulangerie opened last week across the street from the Heritage District’s iconic water tower. Porter and his small team make about 300 croissants, pain suisse, chocolate cookies and other baked goods five days a week, in addition to coffee drinks and hot chocolate. Those pastries get snapped up in a matter of hours…