The West Village bakery Mah-Ze-Dahr closed unexpectedly, affecting customers, including those with pre-ordered items. According to Eater, the sudden closure came with little notice, as evidenced by a TikToker who found the storefront empty when she arrived to pick up her birthday cake—despite receiving an email saying it was ready. The bakery, founded in 2013 by Umber Ahmad and Shelly Acuña Barbera, expanded from a wholesale operation to a cherished retail space in 2016.
An eviction notice dated last Tuesday, from a New York City marshal, posted on the bakery's door. Customers, including the TikToker mentioned by Eater, were surprised to find the bakery, usually filled with the aroma of chocolate cakes and brioche doughnuts, silent and without any of its typical offerings. Ahmad has pointed out ongoing disputes with the landlord, including "almost constant flooding" at the older building and landlords not covering any of the related expenses. Acknowledging the missed orders, Ahmad has taken full responsibility and assured that customers will be offered refunds or alternative arrangements.
Grub Street reports that the bakery's troubles have been mounting for some time with various legal actions taken by both the landlord, over unpaid rent and fees, and food distributors like Chefs' Warehouse over unpaid invoices. Following the West Village eviction, employees were given the choice to transfer to another location, continuing within the company's fold, Ahmad is also actively seeking to support staff who prefer to stay local by aiding their employment search in the area.
Despite the bakery's current challenges, Ahmad remains hopeful about the brand's future, with plans to secure a production facility in Brooklyn and reopen in the West Village. Although other locations in Washington, D.C., and Virginia have closed, the brand has not given up, as indicated in an Instagram post reassuring followers of a return to the neighborhood "soon." However, amid public issues such as allegations of unpaid wages—though Ahmad has stated that "Everybody gets paid in full," according to Eater—and ongoing lawsuits, there are mixed signals for Mah-Ze-Dahr’s loyal customers. Meanwhile, the Brookfield Place location remains open, continuing to serve the bakery’s popular cream puffs and pastries.
