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Bel Ami, a favorite neighborhood French restaurant, announced Thursday that it will be permanently shutting the doors of its original location at 30 East 68th Street (between Park and Madison avenues) at the end of October.
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“For the past 15 years, our cafe has been more than just a place to stop by. It’s become a neighborhood institution, a warm space where we’ve had the pleasure of sharing unforgettable moments with you our loyal customers,” the restaurant said in a statement posted to Instagram. “After many years of success and cherished memories together, it’s with a heavy heart that we announce the closing of our Madison store on October 29th.”
Bel Ami was first opened in 2010 by Vanessa Laplaud, a native of Limoges, France, according to the cafe’s website. The store aimed to “provide the warmth and intimacy of a local cafe while offering the best of continental fare.” The menu consists of a wide variety of baked goods and desserts including croissants, macarons, eclairs, tiramisu and cookies. It also offers soups and salads, sandwiches, paninis, baguettes and a wide variety of specialty coffees.
In an email sent to East Side Feed on Thursday, Laplaud revealed that the closure was due to the lease being up and the building being for sale.
“Bel Ami was there for 15 years and it’s been very successful,” she told East Side Feed.
Bel Ami opened a second location at 866 Lexington Avenue (at 65th Street) in 2022.
Laplaud said that she is looking for another space to continue serving the community.
“The transition is not easy for any of us, and we understand how much the cafe means to the community, but be reassured that we are actively searching for a new space close to you, so we can remain your favorite neighborhood cafe,” the Instagram statement said.
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The residential building is for sale?