Monday, February 22, 2021

Barnyard Cheese Shop is closed until further notice on Avenue B

We've heard from a handful of concerned readers going back to Friday... when news circulated that the Barnyard Cheese Shop had temporarily closed.

The popular cheesemonger and sandwich shop at 168 Avenue B between 10th Street and 11th Street had been open through most of the pandemic, most recently selling from a to-go window and offering curbside seating. 

The readers cited the letter for patrons taped to the gate... two of the readers described the initial passage as "mysterious" ... 
The letter reads in part...
It is not without consideration or careful thought that we inform you that due to circumstances not under our control, Barnyard will be closed from now until further notice. It has been an honor and a privilege to be a part of this neighborhood and we are grateful to all of you who have made us part of your daily lives. We have never taken it for granted and have loved being here to nourish you, comfort you, and be a pillar for you to lean on when needed.  
The rather ominous lead-in gave some readers the impression that there might be a landlord/rent-related issue... or perhaps something to do with Con Ed and the gas service. 

However, the second paragraph sounds as if there may be a pandemic-related health issue ...

The decision to close is unfortunate, but there is not doubt that it needs to be done. It is in your best interest and in the best interest of our supporting staff that we closed until we are 100% certain that to reopen is safe and will not be a risk to anyone.
The letter, signed by owner Beatriz Gutierrez, ends on an optimistic tone...  

... thank you for your loyal support and for understanding our decision. It has been a grueling year and we have been through a lot together. We move forward always. It takes a village!

We reached out to learn more... and to offer best wishes to the Barnyard staff.  

Brix Wines, the sister shop of Barnyard, remains open next door. (H/T Salim!)

Updated 2/22

In a follow-up note, Gutierrez told me the following:
The sign I ended up posting was difficult to write but I felt I needed to write something.  It's been an exhausting year but I know that a lot of folks look to us, literally, for their daily bread and I knew it would be a shock to see us closed. But I also know that closing Barnyard, for at least now, was the right thing to do. I am working hard at finding the best way to reopen and also stay safe, relevant, and of course, solvent as a business at a time when so many other businesses are not able to do so.  

It's a challenge and as I mentioned in the note I left, it takes a village. I have nothing but fondness for the people who have supported us for 13 years and hope to be able to continue to be there for them.

15 comments:

  1. Oh no! Terrible news! So so hope they will re-open!

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  2. good luck, little cheese shop! come back soon!

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  3. Hope she can re-open, and wishing her the best!

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  4. I hope they can hang on. Every time I walk by, there's a considerable line, so I figured they were doing well, but there are so many other aspects of business we don't know about. Barnyard has been a great component of the neighborhood, and I wish them the best for a safe return.

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  5. Kitchen staff getting sick in the pandemic is indeed not what food establishments can bear. Limited capacity indoor and outdoor dining are inconveniences but kitchen staff are the life of any eatery or restaurant.

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  6. This hurts, hopefully they open soon. Barnyard is the epitome of a neighborhood spot, they'll be missed for now!

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  7. This is such an excellent shop! Sorry to see them go, and hope they are able to return soon.

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  8. This is too bad, and I hope they reopen soon, but there are a few retail shops closing sporadically due to COVID-related issues. Marie Blanchere on 6th Avenue and Carmine Street was my go to West Village French bakery for baguettes and croissants until they closed two weeks ago due to a COVID outbreak, and they are still closed more then two weeks later. A local food delivery guy and also a neighbor who was quite young recently passed away from the virus. Several of our maintenance staff had to quarantine last week. I see new quarantine notices going up on doorways in Peter Cooper/StuyTown for the first time since last Spring. For those who think we have turned a corner, or that any kind of indoor activity or dining are safe, be careful out there.

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  9. One of my places ! So sad! Best sandwiches.

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  10. No Figgy Piggy? No French Picnic?

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  11. Argh I eat from there at least once a week...

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  12. @Giovanni
    I too was going to mention Marie Blanchere.
    Walking over there is my regular exercise. (then countered by a fattening snack)
    And the've been closed a lot longer than 2 weeks now.

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  13. @11:44AM Good news, Marie Blanchere has just reopened. I knew something was wrong when I looked in 2 weeks ago and they were closed early, and there were piles of croissants sitting in a bin as if they had shut down suddenly. Then I checked their website which provided an update about the COVID issue. Looks like everything is OK now, and the croissants are still delicious. Hopefully Barnyard Cheese will be back again soon.

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