A small note on Eater today conveyed the sad news that, after 55 years, Pozzo Pastry on Ninth Avenue near 47th, had closed.
The bakery—which was lauded for everything from tea biscuits to cannolis to strawberry shortcake—apparently disappeared without anyone noticing; it may have shuttered as far back as early December, according to some accounts. A little sleuthing as to the reason for the exit unearthed little. The website is out of commission. A call to the old phone number reaches a place called Jason's Patisserie, "formerly Pozzo Pastry." Jason appears to be in business; he's taking orders.
Pozzo was founded in 1952 and didn't change much over the decades. It was a throwback to the neighborhood's tough days, when Hell's Kitchen meant Hell's Kitchen. Most recently, it was owned by one Joe Bianchi.
I was a long-time customer of pozzo's. They closed about a week before Thanksgiving. Sorry, I don't know the reason either. Had great pictures inside of customers like Ann Miller and Bruno Sanmartino.. P.S.-Millie Medina, formerly of Troma Pictures, recently confined to a wheelchair, longtime denizen of ninth ave., passed away recently.
ReplyDeleteI'm an artist of New York's urban landscape and I've done a painting of Pozzo's a number of year's ago which I've posted on my blog awhile back. As so many of the places I've painted over the years have disappeared, I'm sorry to hear of yet another goner. If you'd like to see the painting, please check out sjfnewyork.blogspot.com, the July entry "The Glorious Fourth".
ReplyDeleteDon't tell me this ! they had the best pastry. When I was twelve --I was so excited that I would be going to junior high by myself on the bus, I thought that I could get a Pozzo napoleon everyday after school when I got off the bus. I don't live in the neighborhood anymore though I do frequent the shops and restaurants, last year when I turned the big 50 I bought my own birthday cake from Pozzo and it tasted the same as I stepped back in time!
ReplyDeletePozzo Pastry Shop was owned and operated by Mario & Joseph Bianchi. It was started by their father Giovanni Bianchi in 1952. After graduating from college, Mario joined his father and Uncle Bruno in the bakery, after graduating college his brother Joseph also joined the bakery some nine years later, although they both grew up in the business.
ReplyDeleteWe truly do miss all the wonderful cakes, pastries and bread that they so meticulously produced.
kathy bianchi
I have just received this crushing news after telling a friend that he must stop by Pozzo's for cannoli when he goes to New York. My aunt and uncle lived within walking distance of this wonderful bakery and the first thing I would do whenever I came to visit was hound them about going for cannoli. In fact, since I have never lived in areas known for Italian pastries, I stopped eating cannoli altogether, Pozzo's being my gold standard and none ever living up to their filled-to-order goodness. Kathy, if you are a relative, please thank the Bianchi family for me for some of my favorite childhood memories of visits to the Big Apple.
ReplyDeletei believe the owners joe and mario bianchi owned the building, they both used to work very hard their and were very hands on. but the rent they collect on the apts and store front make for a great early retirement. they deserve it. former employee
ReplyDeleteI went to school with Mario and knew his parents who initially owned the store when it was in a different location on the same block. Always used to get "the cakes" there. They were the best. Last time I saw Mario was in September 1967---I don't have the heart to tell my sister yet.
ReplyDeleteJoe & Mario, I grew up around the corner from the bakery, I remember your parents always working hard. we always brought cookies by the pound and especially the cake during someones birthday.
ReplyDeleteI will miss you guys but you sure deserve it,THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER CAKE LIKE POZZO
From your friend JOE C./ Holy Cross School
Boy do I miss their cake -- chocolate and vanilla- I think rum - never had a cake as good as the ones at Pozzo !
ReplyDeleteI used to work at the CIT Group, 6th Ave, Rockefeller Center, and when we took collections for baby showers or anniversaries you can bet part of the funds went for a Pozzo's cake! Their fillings were the best, and everyone had a favorite. I googled today because I'm getting married (!) and knew they would make a wonderful cake! Sorry the bakery is closed, and hoping the Bianchis are enjoying the happy retirement they deserve.
ReplyDeleteI loved this bakery none has compared to it yet. I now live on long Island and used to take trips in the city just to get my favorite cake sometimes with and sometimes w/o rum. I'm sorry but no one beats their cake and their cannoli's were always fresh and the cream oh my was the best! I will miss Pozzo's and always talk about it. I have pictures of all my occasions growing up communion,confirmation,graduation & birthdays and your cake is with me I can still taste it. Will miss you most.
ReplyDeleteDonna D (Krzesinski)
I'm mad that they are closed. I was just thinking about them. They gave me my first job working behind the counter. They had the best pastries! RIP
ReplyDeleteThe best everything, hands down
ReplyDeleteMy wife could not remember the name of this place but remembered the location. I on the other hand remembered or thought I remembered the name. Turns our we were both right.
ReplyDeleteShe grew up literally around the corner on 49th st. And whenever there was either a birthday, an anniversary or just a good excuse for a cake it was off to Pozzo's for one of their chocolate and vanilla rum cakes. There just was none better I can still even taste the memory. Taste the memory aof having had our wedding cake made there in 1966. They are missed and will always be missed as there was none better.....not even close
I lived on W 45th St. for 15 years and Pozzo was a favorite stop for all that time. Back then I couldn't afford regular visits (now that I can they're gone) but I would always get their cheesecake for parties and would treat myself to one of their tea biscuits or baba au rhum as often as I could justify it.
ReplyDeleteI moved out of NYC back in 2004 but would still visit when I was in the neighborhood until one time they just weren't there anymore.
Still miss them.