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Little Italy's legendary Parisi Bakery, which has been baking bread since 1903, may be on the brink of closing its Elizabeth Street bakery, where it has produced all of its bread (including loaves for numerous restaurants around town) since 1974. A reliable Eater tipster sends along a real estate listing for a space at 290 Elizabeth Street with an email that advertises:
This space is the ground floor and lower level of a four story building located just north of Houston Street. This space has been the home of Parisi Bakery, a neighborhood institution since 1903. 290 Elizabeth Street, has approximately 2,000 SF on the ground floor and 2,000 SF useable in the basement. The space contains functioning 100 year old brick ovens and has a walk-in freezer.
So far, however, all parties involved are denying this is true. A staffer at the Manhattes Group, which is responsible for the listing, was adamant that there was no such listing and told Eater that the one in question must be old, before abruptly hanging up. As of now, the listing does not appear on the Manhattes Group website. Meanwhile, a manager at the bakery told Eater that "This is happening privately," before the line cut out. On a second call, a manager said the space is not for rent.
But even if it is for rent, at least take comfort in the fact that the listing appears to be only for the Elizabeth Street location, not the Mott Street shop, which was home to the original bakery the family opened in 1903, and now serves excellent Italian sandwiches. But what would Parisi be without its bakery? Without those 100 year old ovens? Might it relocate? All these things will only become clear in time.
Check out the full listing below. Know anything more about the listing? Email tips@eater.com.