QUEENS — The landlord who told a Forest Hills bakery last fall to move out from its longtime location by the end of December decided to let the business stay, at least for now, after protests, the bakery owners said.
Bonelle Pastry Shop, at 108-30 Ascan Ave., has served the neighborhood for more than 23 years. But last November, the owners were told they had to relocate by the end of the year when the lease was set to expire, according to Rahita Ravel, one of the owners.
But Ravel said that after the story was reported and hundreds of residents expressed their support for the bakery, the landlord allowed her to stay, at least temporarily, although her rent has been increased by about 15 percent, she said.
“So far so good,” Ravel said. “But I haven’t heard from them that ‘yes, Rahita, you can stay' [permanently.]"
Forest Hills resident and supporter of the bakery, Joshua Peskay, 42, said Monday he hopes things will work out and the bakery will be allowed to stay in the neighborhood for good.
“It’s been part of the community for so long,” Peskay said about the bakery in November.
Ravel noted that she was very moved by the support she received from the local community. She said more than 1,700 people signed a petition backing the bakery, which she later sent to the landlord, Babad Management Co.
A representative for the landlord did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment.