Nereid Bake Shop

X2 on «don’t know if it’s still operating» — but back in the 50’s, this place was invariably crammed. They had the absolute best cream puffs, napoleons, eclairs, and cream cakes I’ve ever eaten. The filling was a sort of egg-​custard/​pastry-​cream cross, a lot thicker than whipped cream or ordinary pastry cream, and it was addictive.
About once a month, we’d make an expedition for goodies. And we had to take a half-​hour bus ride from beautiful downtown Yonkers to get there.

I am not sure if this business is still operating, but growing up in the Wakefield section of the Bronx, this was the place to go for the best, fresh baked Italian pastries and cakes. Located near the entrance of the East 238^th Street — Nereid Avenue subway station, I remember coming here many times as a child with my mother to purchase canolis, tarts, and cakes for many special occasions. As the neighborhood started to change demographically during the 1980s, I noticed the place was still frequented, but not as much as before as Italian Americans and Irish Americans left the neighborhood and were replaced with West Indian immigrants. If it is still opened and operating under the same management, then they truly deserve a medal for their legacy in Wakefield. If they’re closed, it’s a shame that such an amazing store no longer serves the community. Although I no longer live in the neighborhood, the memories of this place still live on.