Beloved CT bakery, café closing, citing rising costs. Family, customers ‘very emotional’
Rosa’s Cafe and Bakery in East Hartford, a favorite for homemade pastries and sandwiches, will close permanently Friday, owner Edna Cruz said, citing high food costs and “personal” reasons.
“It’s been very emotional for us,” Cruz said.
“It’s been very difficult with rising costs.”
Cruz, who opened the eatery for inside service in May of 2021 as a tribute to her now late mother, Rosa, added, “For personal reasons, it just made sense to us.”
Cruz said the good news is a cafe called, “The Spot” will open in the same location at 649 Burnside Ave., and they will continue to carry a few of Rosa’s Cafe and Bakery customer favorites, including the Spanish pastry and the Cuban sandwich.
She did not say when “The Spot” would open.
“I feel good about passing the torch to another female business owner,” Cruz said. “She can continue that energy. She’s from the community and I’m really excited about that.”
Cruz told the Courant in 2021 she was opening the eatery as a tribute to her mother Rosa and a legacy for her daughters, Stephanie Colón and Cindy Fernandez.
Rosa, who was born in Puerto Rico and was in a senior care facility at the time, dealing with Alzheimer’s. She has since passed.
“She always made a home for anyone who needed a meal,” Cruz said at the time. “I took that to heart.”
Cruz announced the closure in a Facebook post led by three heart emojis and hashtags: #supportsmallbusiness, #ctsmallbusiness #thenextchapter.
The post addressed to, “Dear Valued customers,” says, in part: “It is with great sadness that we share some important news: After serving this beautiful community over the last few years, our business will be closing its doors Friday, Sept. 1 at 2 p.m.”
The post goes on to reassure them about the new business coming in and thanks customers for their “support loyalty and trust.”
“…We are grateful for the memories we created together.”
The new owner will honor gift cards, Cruz said.
Customers poured in on Facebook with tearful emojis and thanks to Rosa’s for the memories and thanks “for always making our experiences there delightful.”
Another customer posted a sad face emoji with the question, “Wow now where I get my breakfast burrito and pastry with home fries?”
Another wrote: “You guys were so awesome , friendly, helpful so creative and so yummy this saddens me.”
Another customer wrote that they live right up the street and have appreciated having such a quality bakery nearby.
“BEST donuts and breakfast sandwiches around! You will be missed!” the customer wrote.
Others wished the family well in their new endeavors.
“I hope you’ll be moving on to a new chapter and wish you nothing but happiness. Just as you have brought to us with your amazing food…” another wrote.
Cruz said she will focus on family.
