[Updated] 110-year-old DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe looks to be closing once the building is sold

[EVG file photo]

Last June, we spotted a listing for 174-176 First Ave. At the time, the sale didn't mention anything about the status of longtime (since 1904) home of the great DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe at No. 176.

However, several EVG tipsters have forwarded updated real-estate listings … showing that the retail spaces in the basement and first floor of No. 176 will be delivered vacant once the buildings sell … (this may be news to the bakery, who say that they are not closing)



This listing, via a tipster, shows the current rent going for $4,000 a month for the bakery, with a projected monthly increase to $19,583.

DeRobertis has their in-house bakery in the basement.

The asking price is $12 million. (And at least one listing mentions that 4,162 square feet of air rights are available.)

City records show that the DeRobertis family has owned the buildings for 30-plus years.

Here's some history of the bakery via the DeRobertis website …

There are not many Pasticceria and Caffe's that can actually claim four continuous generations of friendly, family service. Our family tradition has survived through all types of conditions such as World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the fabulous Fifties, the Vietnam War, the recession of the 70's, the boom of the 80's ... With hard work, a determination to provide the finest pastries, cakes and desserts and your patronage, we will continue into the 21st Century.

Read more about the history of DeRobertis on their website.

So this appears to be the family's decision to retire — they weren't pushed out. Regardless, go enjoy this East Village treasure while you still can.

[EVG file photo]

Updated: A DeRobertis family member said that closure was only "a rumor."

Previously on EV Grieve:
174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

174-176 First Ave., home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, is for sale

174-176 First Ave. is now on the market. The asking price for the two buildings between East 10th Street and East 11th Street: $12 million.

Here's the brief Corcoran listing:

This prime East Village asset is comprised of two adjoined mixed use walk-up apartment buildings, with a combined 35.5’ of frontage on First Avenue. The basement and first floors are occupied by 3 unique retail stores. The 176 First Ave building, has rail road style one bedroom apartments on the second, third and fourth floors with east and west exposure. The 174 First Ave building, has rail road style one bedroom apartments on the second and third floors with east and west exposure.

Nothing too alarming about that listing, like, Building will be delivered vacant ... or Plenty of air rights for an ugly condo!... 176 First Ave. is the longtime (since 1904) home of DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe, one of our favorite places around. It's our understanding, via city records, that the DeRobertis family still owns the buildings ... (DeRobertis has their in-house bakery in the basement...)

We're not sure at this point what a sale means long-term for the bakery. Regardless, the bakery has been through a lot since 1904 ... From their website:

There are not many Pasticceria and Caffe's that can actually claim four continuous generations of friendly, family service. Our family tradition has survived through all types of conditions such as World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, the fabulous Fifties, the Vietnam War, the recession of the 70's, the boom of the 80's ... With hard work, a determination to provide the finest pastries, cakes and desserts and your patronage, we will continue into the 21st Century.

Read more about the history of DeRobertis on their website.

Let's take a look at the DeRobertis in-house bakery

[Gudrun Georges]

DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe on First Avenue near East 11th Street is one of my favorite places in the neighborhood ... the business has been run by the same family, now in its 4th generation...

Photographer Gudrun Georges recently captured the 108-year-old Italian bakery in these photos ... and she shared them with me ... (find more here) ...







In addition, John the owner invited her to have a look at the in-house bakery, an area not in view to customers ... it's located below the cafe...

You can find more of her bakery photos here.

An appreciation: Coffee (or espresso!) at DeRobertis

Since April 20, 1904 here on First Avenue just south of 11th Street... I can always do without CNN on in the background... but I'll take it...

Visit the DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe website here.

Previously on EV Grieve:
Watching football at DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe

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...

Watching football at DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe

I remember walking in East Village institution DeRobertis here on First Avenue a few years ago... it was a Sunday afternoon... and it was the first time that I noticed the 100-year-old-plus bakery-cafe had a few flat-screen TVs installed.... One of the women working there was really into the Jets game.



...nothing wrong with that, I suppose ... just seemed like a funny place to watch an NFL game... But, every so often during a big sporting event, I'll walk in here to catch a glimpse of the game....



...and maybe use the restroom...



I love this place.

Nothing better than the pre-holiday rush in the neighborhood...

...except maybe sitting at a bar watching it unfold over drinks...

Still. A few favorites.

At J. Baczynsky's East Village Meat Market...



Outside DeRobertis Pasticceria and Caffe on First Avenue...



Looking at the Thanksgiving pies at Something Sweet on First Avenue at 11th Street...

A holiday classic

A little holiday spirit courtesy of the East Village institution DeRobertis Pasticceria & Caffe on First Avenue. Since 1904.

Read Jeremiah's piece on the beloved shop here.