The Shutter: Japanese Bakery Panya Closing Jan. 18

East Village: A tipster alerts us and a call to the venue confirms: Panya Bakery, the cultishly adored sliver of a Japanese bakery, coffee, and sandwich spot on Stuyvesant Street is closing on the 18th. A Chowhound thread attributes the shutter to rising rents, but a worker at the shop tells us the same owners will be opening something new in the space in three to four months. She couldn't say whether or not it would be food-related, but keep in mind the space is much too small for a substantial full service restaurant. EVill, you have nine days to pay your respects.
· DOH Chronicles: Panya Bakery Down, Out [~E~]
— photo credit