Silver Moon Bakery Reopens as No Name Bakery on the Upper West Side

New York City – Silver Moon Bakery, a cherished cake-making establishment on the Upper West Side, has officially reopened as No Name Bakery at a new location following a rent dispute that forced its original location to close in March 2023. The new bakery, situated at 2664 Broadway, is roughly four blocks from the former site, which had been serving the community since 2000.

The transition comes after a collaboration between Silver Moon Bakery and Buttercup Bake Shop, led by Hazem Elgohary, who acquired Silver Moon’s mixing and baking equipment. This partnership marks a new beginning, as the bakery is aiming to maintain the legacy of Silver Moon while also introducing fresh offerings to the Upper West Side.

The legal issues that led to Silver Moon’s closure involved a dispute with its landlord, Broadside Realty Corp., over claims of $200,000 in unpaid rent. Silver Moon maintained that they had mailed rent checks, but the landlord contended the checks were never deposited, suggesting a strategy to evict the bakery. The original lease agreement required a monthly rent of nearly $13,000, and the situation is still unresolved in court. This conflict is further complicated by personal ties, as the landlord’s step-sister is a former owner of Silver Moon Bakery.

Fresh Start at No Name Bakery

As No Name Bakery gears up for a grand opening expected next week, contingent on final electrical repairs, the team plans to offer about 60% of the traditional menu initially. This selection will include a variety of breads, cookies, pastries, muffins, scones, and beverages. Judith Norell, the founder of Silver Moon Bakery, is a partner in the new venture but will not be involved in daily operations. Instead, she expressed enthusiasm regarding the reopening and the involvement of familiar staff members from the original bakery.

Legacy and Community Support

The bakery holds a pivotal place in the local community, with Norell emphasizing the importance of retaining strong ties with loyal customers. Silver Moon Bakery built a commendable legacy, known for its artisanal traditions, and No Name Bakery aims to honor that spirit. As it prepares to welcome back patrons, the bakery plans to gradually expand its menu, with hopes to be fully operational by September.

The new location has a mixture of residential and commercial spaces, and was sold for $54.5 million earlier this year. Despite recent challenges, including the closure of other notable businesses in the neighborhood like Absolute Bagels and a branch of Shakespeare & Co., community engagement remains robust. Support initiatives such as GoFundMe campaigns are underway to assist with the successful launch of the new bakery.

Future of No Name Bakery

Though No Name Bakery is distinct from Silver Moon Bakery, ongoing legal matters regarding the original location’s lease cast a shadow over the transition. As this situation unfolds, the ownership and management are keen to share their vision for the future while preserving the treasured recipes and techniques that made Silver Moon Bakery a local favorite.

In conclusion, the rebirth of the bakery as No Name Bakery represents not just a change of name and location, but a renewed commitment to serving the community with quality baked goods and maintaining the cherished traditions that customers have come to know and love over the years.