La Guli Pastry Shop, an Italian bakery that has been a fixture in Astoria, Queens, since 1937, has closed its doors permanently.
The closure was announced by third-generation owner and chief baker Maria Notaro on Facebook, initially stating the shop was "temporarily" closed due to "family matters." However, remnants of the shop's interior were removed by workers on Wednesday, confirming its permanent closure. The bakery was located at 29-15 Ditmars Blvd.
For decades, La Guli was known for its Sicilian-style cannolis, tricolor cookies, and Italian ices. The shop also gained attention for special creations, including a "Pope Francis cookie" launched in 2015 to honor the pontiff's visit to the city, and a shortbread cookie commemorating the fictional ascension of American-born Pope Leo XIV.
Former residents recalled the bakery's distinct aromas and its role in family traditions. Joe Carella, a former Astoria resident, shared that his father frequented the shop every Sunday until his passing. The scents of butter and sugar were described by one patron as smelling "more like Italy than anything at Eataly."
The closure comes amid changes in the Astoria shopping district. Nearby Italian restaurant L'Incontro has also closed, contributing to a sense of upheaval in the neighborhood.
Maria Notaro could not be immediately reached for comment regarding the reason for the closure.