Thursday, December 8, 2011

Things that make us worry, but only because we worry about these kinds of things

So yeah, as professional worriers about the fine places in the neighborhood... the following makes us, uh, worry... A reader sent us this Google offer from DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe on First Avenue ...


As the reader noted, "I haven't swung by there in a while, but it never seemed to be struggling. Maybe it's all the pressure from cupcakes, ice cream, sweet buns and puddin' that prompted this 'hey remember us' hand wave."

Perhaps. In any event, it's a good deal...
at

10 comments:

  1. LvVDecember 8, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    Please, let's not worry. It's just a coupon. DeRobertis has been there since the dinosaurs roamed the East Village. If you want to see how not-struggling they are, go the week before Christmas. And get me a pignoli macaroon while you're at it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. abrodDecember 8, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    It's true - these Groupon / LivingSocial / Google Offers coupons are hot these days, and those companies' respective sales staffs are working very hard to sign up new businesses. I don't think this is a sign of distress at all, but a business trying out a new way to bring in customers. I wouldn't worry about it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jeremiah MossDecember 8, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    and they own the building, thanks God.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousDecember 8, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    Hi EV Grieve,

    If I wanted to send you an email or tip, where should I send it?

    ReplyDelete
  5. EV GrieveDecember 8, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    @anon 11:06

    grieve98@gmail.com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. ShawnDecember 8, 2011 at 12:29 PM

    It's easy to miss DeRobertis because of the step-down thing. And Veniero's has that huge neon sign, drawing you in like a moth to flame. It's hard to see anything else (and Veniero's is great, too.)

    If you actually "get" this deal, however, wouldn't DeRoberti's "lose" money?

    I live one block away and the place is a source of sanity in an insane world. The back area is so lovely.

    I'm gonna go in and spend $20 and they'll get ALL $20!

    My gut says, please don't take them up on this offer. Just go in and spend money.

    Long live DeRobertis!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousDecember 8, 2011 at 1:45 PM

    Reminds me of Moishe's bakery--also long-lived because he owns the building. Wonder how many of the last-stand neighborhood places are still there because they own? Yonah Schimmel's? Katz's?

    ReplyDelete
  8. glammaDecember 8, 2011 at 1:51 PM

    that would be an awesome post - find out who owns their building.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousDecember 8, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    ummm about 20 years ago DeRoberto's was busted for running a numbers racket in the back room - and yet They literally open the next day for business.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousDecember 8, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    I would go there a lot more if they could just make a decent espresso. It's been a while, but last time I was there they "poured" me an espresso from a pot of pre-brewed espresso. Not good; not cool. Kind of disgusting.
    Sad, cause I sure like the place.

    ReplyDelete

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