Gertrude, a small coffee and pastry place at 204 West 96th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue), has announced it will be closing its doors on April 21.
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In an Instagram post shared last week, the Australian coffee shop announced that its “final weeks will be a bake sale – as we wind down our inventory, we will be asking you to pay as you wish for our baked goods and retail items (granola, chai concentrate and others favourites) as you enjoy your final flat whites and gertrude moments.”
Shweta Khare opened Gertrude in 2020, naming the business after Gertrude Street in Melbourne. Since then, the cafe has grown a bit of a following, winning a spot in one of Eater’s best-of round-ups and attracting locals for its friendly vibes and live music.
“So so sad to see this post, but thank YOU for brightening up the neighborhood over the last few years! I will miss the coffee, treats, tunes, and the community!” wrote @an_uptown_girl, a popular local Instagrammer, in response to the announcement.
Another Australian spot, Bourke Street Bakery, closed its doors not too long ago as well.
After publishing this article, Khare replied to our request for comment and told us that she has “a buyer taking over who will run it as coffee shop only (no house made food).” Green Lane Coffee, which operates a location on the Upper East Side, tells us they hope to open in mid-May.
Gertrude was very out of place on that block with all the traffic and street vendors and other strange people.
SO SAD about this. Gertrude was the bright spot in the otherwise dismal stretch of 96th Street. Always friendly service, super YUMMY homemade pastries (loved the vegan tahini blondie), and great coffee. Will miss this place so much! 🙁 This is a lesson to all of us to support LOCAL and SMALL businesses!