Farewell De Robertis Pastry Shoppeon 1st Avenue between 10th & 11th Streets in the East Vill

Farewell De Robertis Pastry Shoppeon 1st Avenue between 10th & 11th Streets in the East VillageClosing on December 5, 2014 As you may have heard by now, East Village icon De Robertis is closing on Friday December 5th after 110 years. They aren’t being forced out or shut down, just decided it was time to wrap up. Still, though, they will be sorely missed. De Robertis was never as flashy as Veneiro’s around the corner, but the back room has always been a great place to hang out with friends and talk about everything and nothing over coffee and pignoli nut cookies.  Sadly when I visited this weekend, the neon sign wasn’t in the best condition: Despite the dim flickering ‘PASTRY,’ the sign is a classic. I’m not generally a fan of the 'shoppe’ school of signage, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s 110-year old De Robertis.  When I first came to NYC, De Robertis was one of my prime hangout spots, and it’s been an indelible mark in mental map of the city ever since. I wish it could last forever, but of course family businesses don’t usually last indefinitely, and 110 years is a good run. I fear, though, that the building will be replaced by yet another boring glass condo building with a 7-11 in the ground floor. Wouldn’t it be lovely if someone could take up the mantle of De Robertis, or create something new that aspired to last another 110 years? But with the current state of the city, that seems pretty unlikely. For a great look at the history of De Robertis, read the interview with John De Roberti on Bedford + Bowery. Farewell, De Robertis. The East Village will be darker without the warm glow of your neon. … PS: Today is Project Neon’s anniversary. On December 3, 2010 I began tracking down and photographing New York City’s neon signs, with no idea I’d still be at it 4 years later. Thanks to all of you for your continued support of the project and of NYC’s neon signs! Happy neoniversary! -- source link

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