An Upper East Side institution at 116 years old, Jewish bakery Glaser’s Bake Shop will close its doors come July 1. Owners, still the Glaser family but now in its third generation, posted on Facebook that they wanted to retire.
“After many years of daunting hours and hard work, the third generation of bakers have come to the difficult decision to hang up their bakers hat and move towards retirement. This decision is not an easy one and has been made after long thought and careful consideration,” they wrote.
Co-owner Herb Glaser tells Eater that at 65, and after 43 years at the helm, it’s not as easy to run a retail bakery, especially in today’s climate. Though the family owns the building, the hours are still a lot to keep the operation going, he says.
“I do enjoy it, and I know I’ll miss it, and I know the customers will miss us, so it is a sad thing,” he says. “But I just think it is time.”
Glaser’s opened in 1902 and has since established itself as a black-and-white cookie destination. There are still four months to try the cake variety that comes with thick layers of fluffy frosting versus fondant-like topping. Cream puffs, eclairs, and kitchen sink cookies are highlights, too, at this bakery that has become a Jewish community staple.