Zaro's Bakery In The Bronx Will Close After Nearly 60 Years
Zaro's Bakery, a longstanding bakery in the Parkchester community of the Bronx in New York City, will unexpectedly close its doors after 56 years in service, after the building's landlord refused to renew Zaro's lease, which ends on December 31.
Zaro's, founded by a Polish immigrant named Joseph Zaro in 1927, eventually grew to include 11 stores, including locations in Penn Station, Grand Central Station, and the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The bakery's Parkchester location opened in 1959, when Zaro's sons, Phil and William, took over the business.
"It is with a heavy heart that the Zaro family regrets to inform you that we will be closing our store for good on December 28th," a note on the bakery's door reads. "The Parkchester community has supported us at this location since 1959, over 55 years and 3 generations of Zaros. The landlord informed us 4 weeks ago that our lease, which expires on December 31st, would not be renewed. In all likelihood we will be replaced by another big national food chain."
A spokesman from the landlord's office, however, denied the accuracy of the note. "That is simply not true, they did not lose their lease," an anonymous representative told a local Bronx blog. A location of Boston Market is rumored to be taking over the space.