EAST VILLAGE — Black Seed Bagels has taken over the former DeRobertis Pasticceria space on First Avenue and hopes to serve its Montreal-style bagels, coffee and sandwiches by late spring, said one of its owners.
“We’re really excited,” said co-owner Noah Bernamoff. “It’s a beautiful, historic space.”
Bernamoff said he and business partner, Matt Kliegman, acquired the space last week, almost two months after DeRobertis ended its 110-year run at 176 First Ave.
The news was first reported by the New York Times.
The new Black Seed outpost, which has about 50 percent more room than the original Elizabeth Street location, will allow the business to increase its output and expand its wholesale and catering operations, Bernamoff said.
The owners plan to install a wood-burning stove on the ground floor, he said, and expand its sandwich menu and beverage options, including a “full-fledged coffee program.”
Although they have not finalized the layout yet, the East Village store will likely have more seating than the Nolita location, which has about 14 seats, Bernamoff said.
Despite the changes, the owners plan to keep as much of the store’s original architectural elements intact, including its tin ceiling and hand-cut penny tile floors.
“Where we can, we’re going to preserve [the architecture] and where we can’t, we’re going to build to match the historic elements,” Bernamoff said.
