Text size:

Historic Italian bakery closes

amNewYork Staff

September 19, 2007

Rose Morrone, 72, was the face of Morrone & Sons bakery on East 116th Street in East Harlem since 1956, back when the Mexican enclave was still a thriving branch of Little Italy.

During a visit with amNewYork in June, she spoke of how few Italian businesses remained, and of her happiness that hers had carried on.

Indeed, her bread was still drawing the faithful, which now included Mexicans and Puerto Ricans as well as people from the old neighborhood who made a point of coming back for more.

But the shop finally closed on Aug. 19, the New York Times reported Tuesday, after problems with her back forced Morrone to step aside.