Pink Rose Pastry Shop closes

The landmark Pink Rose Pastry Shop in Queen Village is dark.

Larry Frank, who bought the business four years ago, pulled the plug, effective Thursday. He and a skeleton staff spent Saturday cleaning up and doling out remaining goods to walk-ins. One reader reported that his wife got the last brownies, now stashed in their freezer.

Open on the northwest corner of Fourth and Bainbridge Streets since September 1985 (and for four years before that at Ninth and Fitzwater Streets, where Sarcone's Deli is now), the Pink Rose had fallen on hard times -- beaten up by the economy, said Frank.

Frank had previously owned nearby shoe stores and acknowledged by phone that he also had a lot to learn about running a bakery/cafe. He planned to get out of the business entirely.

Pink Rose's glory days, alas, were easily a decade (and at least two owners) ago.

Nonetheless, it was known among breakfasters and brunchers for its quaint seating section of mismatched chairs, among birthday-party planners for the fiesta cake (chocolate buttermilk with cream cheese icing), and among cupcake fanciers for its carrot and blueberry varieties.