Amai’s last day was one of the saddest, but best, days of my life. The customers that stopped by to show their support, and all of my old employees and friends who came back to celebrate, made it more special than I could have ever imagined.
It doesn’t matter what happens next. This experience showed me how much good there is in people and I feel very content. You usually hear about all of the bad things that people do, but when it comes down to it, people do care. It gives me a lot of hope.
Here are a few pictures of everyone on our last day - I wish I had more. I’m missing some of my favorites like Aydemir and Lynn (lunchtime regulars for chocolate chip cookies and Fiji tea) the Muchnicks (who order pies every week in the summer), Kathy and Andy (weekend regulars), and many more. I also didn’t capture Ayse, the owner of Polka Dot Studio who gave me my start. She came and I am so happy to still call her a friend. I hope to see you all again soon.
Thank you, everyone! It took me awhile to get these pictures together, but I still wanted to post them here.
Now, onto the cookbook (I hope)…
Ava and Wendy
Queenie and Yuliya
A mountain of chocolate walnut and cranberry scones - all gone before noon.
Betty came to take pictures of me at work on the last day - it was so hectic and I had been working for 3 days straight - I hate to think what those pictures look like!
Sunday morning regulars for “mommy and me” time.
Ed and Jackie - We did their wedding favors. Now they are coming up on their one year anniversary.
Danielle - The chocolate walnut scone lover.
Andrew and his cousin Derek - the best wall-painter/rapper/dessert lover a shop could ask for.
Phil. A fixture at Amai.
Baby Madeleine and Mom
Boss Q, Barista B and Baker D
Digna, the best person to ever work with!
Amai Girls
Amai Bakers - Dyann and Jen
Flowers from the Greenmarket
Lots of mini cupcakes.
Clarice sold everything on the shelves.
Stevie and Janet celebrate
Great pictures, Kelli! I’m still bummed that I missed out that last weekend.
A bittersweet congratulations, perhaps? I wish I could have been there on your last day, but I was out of town. Best wishes with your future plans.
Hello Kelli,
Those are one great set of photos. It was really sad to learn about the store closure last month, and wished I could be there for the last time before you were gone. I did’t get to, but I am glad I have at least had a chance to pay a visit to your lovely shop last time I was in NYC (actually, we went there twice over our three-day stay). I still keep that pretty cookie box!
I hope you are now getting some much needed rest that you deserve so much, and best of luck to you with the cookbook and everything you are up for now. Last of all, congratulations to you and Andrew getting married…lovely!
Best wishes to you all!
I’m so shocked right now… I’m so sorry I haven’t blog or check blogs until recently and just came across this entry. Just one year ago (May 31st to be exact) I was at your bakery with a big smile eating your bake goodies and I have to say that Amai bakery has THE best cupcakes! I’m pretty picky when it comes to cupcakes. I still crave for your cupcakes. I’m so upset right now
sorry I click send by accident!
cont…
I’m so upset right now! Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you. I’m sorry this is so late of a response!
The pictures are wonderful, thank you so much for sharing and thank you so much for your delicious desserts!