EAST VILLAGE — De Robertis Pasticceria and Caffé is closing next week after more than a century in business.
In an interview with Bedford + Bowery, John De Robertis — whose grandfather opened the business in 1904 — said the East Village institution would close on Dec. 5.
The family-run business has been serving Italian coffee at 176 First Ave. since it opened, eventually adding pastries, cookies and ices to its lineup.
The family decided to sell the building and close the shop because of the economy, along with the age and health concerns of the four De Robertis siblings, who run the shop, according to Bedford + Bowery.
The coffee shop and bakery did not return a request for comment.
The family first put the building up for sale in 2013, according to reports, before updating its listing to show that the first floor and basement — which house the bakery and its kitchen — would be delivered vacant once it sold.
According to Corcoran’s website, the building was listed for $12 million and is currently in contract. It is unclear who is in the process of purchasing the building.
De Robertis said the family was grateful for all the support they received from customers throughout the years.
“The people were the reason why we’re here,” he said in the interview. “I learned from my father and mother: ‘Always give quality — people come back.’”