Say Final Goodbyes to Glaser’s, an Iconic 116-Year-Old UES Bakery

This weekend will mark the loss of two beloved neighborhood bakeries, 116-year-old Glaser’s Bake Shop on the Upper East Side and seven-year-old Zucker Bakery in the East Village.

New Yorkers are already mourning the loss of legacy institution Glaser’s, lining up for a last taste of its iconic black-and-white cookies. The family-owned bakery at 1670 First Ave. near 87th Street has been flooded with people all week before 65-year-old co-owner Herb Glaser calls it quits to retire upstate. He’s owned the bakery for 43 years and is ready for retirement.

“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 previously told Eater. “But I just think it is time.”

July 1 will be the last day for the community staple that beyond being a black-and-white cookie destination also serves cream puffs, eclairs, and kitchen sink cookies

Downtown, Zucker Bakery, at 433 East Ninth St. between First Avenue and Avenue A, is also set to close on Sunday. The charming bakery has been serving pastries such as rugelach, chocolate babka, and spiced honey cookies, as well as food like matzah ball soup, challah, and potato knish since 2011.

Owner Zohar Zohar told Eater that she is closing the bakery for personal reasons and that it has been “an incredible seven years.” Shortly after opening, Zohar was profiled in a Times video that highlighted her homestyle baking that incorporates flavors from Israel and Eastern European countries. Before opening Zucker, she had worked as a pastry chef for big names like Daniel Boulud, David Bouley, and Johnny Iuzzini. She does not yet have future plans.

Family-owned, legacy businesses like Glaser’s and Zucker are only diminishing. Diners and Jewish delicatessens such as Village Den, Carnegie Deli, and Hudson Diner have closed with increasing frequency in the last few years.