UPDATED: Finally Some Action At Former Maybelle Space On Henry Street

***UPDATE***

Friend and PMFA reader Rick Luftglass reached out to me after reading the post below to inform us that Purbird Flame Grilled Chicken of Park Slope, not Sweet Chick was moving into the space vacated by Maybelle's Café on Henry Street.

Whatever 'bird' place moves into the storefront that once housed the famous Cammareri Italian bakery, you may enjoy the photos that Rick sent to us of the original bakery equipment that is still stored in the basement of the building. (You can see the photos by scrolling down)
Rick writes:

"They left the Cammareri Bros. bakery equipment in the basement. They put up drywall around the equipment. Apparently the equipment was too large and heavy to be removed, so none of the restaurant owners moved it out.
As you see in the photos, they had already started to put up the walls, and were preparing to put up the drywall. By now, I assume they're covered up.
Someday, decades from now, an urban archaeologist is going to find it. "


Thanks for the information and the photos Rick. What an incredible time capsule and a reminder of one of the best bread bakeries in the neighborhood.

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Original Post
Maybelle's, a favorite café spot at 502 Henry Street across from Farmacy, sadly closed its doors last January. Since then, the storefront has been empty.

However, reader Edward alerted PMFA last week that there has been some action recently and that it appears as if Sweet Chick , a "rustic-chic eatery" that serves "American cuisine with a Southern accent" may be moving in.

Edward writes:
"It looks like Maybelle's at Sackett and Henry will become Sweet Chick.They seem to be working on the interior until late night so it may be soon. Sweetchick as to other restaurants by the same name in NYC."

Sweet Chick has an outpost on Ludlow Street in Manhattan and a second one on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn. Apparently, their waffles and fried chicken are pretty awesome. So are their drinks.

Of course, Maybelle's occupied the space which was once the beloved Cammareri Bakery. In the late 1987, several scenes of the movie Moonstruck with Cher and Nicolas Cage were filmed in the bakery.

(stills from the movie Moonstruck)

Here are the photos Rick Luftglass shared with Pardon Me

(photos courtesy of Rick Luftglass)

And here is a wonderful scene of Moonstruck's Loretta Castorini and Ronny Cammareri's first encounter filmed in Camareri Bakery's basement.

Read more

Good-Bye, Maybelle's. We Will Miss You

A PMFA reader alerted us to the fact that Maybelle's Café at 502 Henry Street at the corner of Sackett Street  is closing this weekend. I had to check it out for myself and stopped by this popular neighborhood spot. The first thing I noticed was the quote by Charlie Chaplin written on the blackboard standing in front of the café. The young lady behind the counter confirmed that this Saturday will be its last day. When I asked about the reason, she told me that "the owner is moving on to other things."
Too bad. Maybelle's had some of the best coffee in the neighborhood and was always a great place to work and to meet friends. Their sandwiches were pretty taste as well.

Let us hope that another café will take its place.

Of course, Maybelle's occupied the space which was once the beloved Cammareri Bakery. In the late 1987, several scenes of the movie Moonstruck with Cher and Nicolas Cage were filmed in the bakery.

(stills from the movie Moonstruck) 

Below is a  scene of Loretta Castorini and Ronny Cammareri's  first encounter filmed in Camareri's basement.

Read more