Faye Hess and Jonathan Stirling at 51st Bakery & Cafe
Dec. 11, 2013 By Christian Murray
A new bakery opened in Hunters Point on Saturday by a married couple who have lived in Long Island City for 20 years.
The store, called “51st Bakery and Café,” is located at 5-33 51st Avenue, and offers cookies, scones, muffins, cakes, sandwiches, salads and more.
The bakery has seating for about 50 people and there is an outside garden area. Plans are in the works for a beer and wine license.
Faye Hess and Jonathan Stirling, the owners, used to operate a café in Long Island City 15 years ago.
“It was called LIC Brick and was located where Casa Enrique (next to Andrews Grove) is located today,” Stirling said. “At the time, we took over a horrible office and transformed it.”
The couple sold the business and then went traveling and spent a great deal of time in Italy. Hess worked as a private chef and taught cooking classes in Tuscany, where American students would come to learn.
The bakery is undergoing a soft opening at present as the couple works on hiring staff as well as expanding their offerings.
The bakery is presently open from 8 am through 5 pm seven days per week. However that is expected to change soon.
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14 Comments
Glad to see them back in the neighborhood. LIC Brick was a great little place way back then.
Very happy to see another commercial place open in LIC! Indeed the exterior isn’t very inviting, however I’m sure when they are running on full speed and selling wonderful baked goods the exterior wouldn’t matter much. Will def. check it out this weekend and support!
So now cafes have to sell drinking bread? Why is everything so complicated today? You can’t just eat a muffin and have a frigging cup of coffee anymore.
Jeezus Christ, you really can’t keep yuppies happy. They’ll also find something else they want, want, WANT.
Thanks for opening another communal place – look forward to checking it out and hope there would be gluten-free options on offer! Thank you!
Wish they also provide drinking bread.
I will try and go this weekend. I hope everyone tries to make it a point to patronize our local businesses. That money tends to stay in the neighborhood and benefits us all.
I’ve been there a few times already, great coffee and sandwiches. Very relaxed vibe.
@Anon
I could but the exterior would still be cold and uninviting.
Hugo, you can always sit inside, have a coffee and warm the place up with your sunny personality.
The exterior looks very cold and uninviting.
Great scones and wonderful and friendly owners. It’s a terrific addition to the neighborhood.
Very modern chic place and happy it is in LIC!!!! He said soon they will carry Amy’s Bread and expand to lunch and dinner! Please support local biz guys!
went there last weekend.
sat by the window reading the paper — great place. very excited to see what its like once they have it running full speed.
the pastries were delicious, coffee good, and people super friendly and inviting.
best of luck and congrats.
Do you know if they will sell bread, as well? Hunters Point is sorely in need of a local place for fresh bread..