Zaro’s Family Bakery reopened in Parkchester to fanfare

Zaro’s Family Bakery reopened in Parkchester to fanfare|Zaro’s Family Bakery reopened in Parkchester to fanfare
Photo by Edwin Soto|Photo by Edwin Soto

Zaro’s Family Bakery reopened amid fanfare on Wednesday, November 22, in Parkchester, where it was located from June 1959 until it closed in 2015.

The ceremony was attended by Zaro family members, along with Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. and Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr.

“We had a short hiatus and we’re now back and thrilled to be back in the Bronx,” said owner Stuart Zaro during the grand reopening festivities.

“Parkchester has been part of our makeup forever,” Zaro said. “We opened a little bit yesterday and mostly today. We’re very proud to have the borough president and his father to join us today to celebrate with us.”

“We are here to announce that Zaro’s is back in Parkchester, and we’re here with Stuart Zaro and the whole Zaro family,” said Diaz Jr.

“When they departed from this place a couple of years ago, I have to tell you it was one of the most emotional days for Bronxites and for this immediate community,” Diaz Jr. said.

Both Diazs expressed thanks that Zaro’s is back in Parkchester, on time for Thanksgiving.

“We have so much to be thankful for,” Diaz Jr. said. “We are thankful for our families, I’m thankful for my dad, I’m thankful for good health in our family, I’m thankful that the Bronx gave me another term to serve for four years.”

Diaz Jr. also spoke about gains in the Bronx on economic development, job creation, new businesses, and also “making sure that those who have been with us for many, many decades still have a home here.”

Michael Zaro announced that when customers came to Zaro’s on its grand reopening the day before Thanksgiving, that 25 percent of the proceeds would be going to Puerto Rico relief efforts.

To commemorate the event, the Zaro family pledged to aid ongoing humanitarian efforts in Puerto Rico following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria earlier this fall.

Zaro’s new storefront, at 1309 Metropolitan Avenue, “has an indoor/outdoor feel provided by new glass doors opening on the side,” said Josh Birns, leasing director for the landlord, Olshan Properties, in a news release.

Birns added that the site is “just two spaces down from the original location, still steps from the (#6 Parkchester station). We’re confident this will be another home run location for them.”

Zaros previous location was on Hugh Grant Circle from 1959 to 2015. A Boston Market franchise leased its former space.

It originally opened in 1927 in the Bronx on the Edward L. Grant Highway.

It has six other locations in New York City and one in New Jersey.

“We’re thrilled to be back in the old neighborhood and to see so many warm and familiar faces again,” said Brian Zaro, executive vice president of Zaro’s Family Bakery, in the release. “As we heat up the ovens once more, we do so (Wednesday) in aid of our friends and family in Puerto Rico who are dear to so many of our valued customers in Parkchester and throughout the city.”

Reach Reporter Bob Guiliano at (718) 260-4599. E-mail him at bguiliano@cnglocal.com.
Borough President Diaz, Jr. (l) and Senator Diaz, Sr. (r) presented Stuart Zaro a hefty ceremonial check.
Photo by Edwin Soto