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Fans are mourning the apparent closure of one of Detroit’s oldest pastry shops Knudsen’s Danish Bakery. Disappointed customers shared the news on social media on Thursday that the 95-year-old North Rosedale Park business had shuttered, according to the Detroit Free Press. The owner of Knudsen’s could not initially be reached for comment, but has since confirmed the closure.
The patrons cited a “For Sale” sign on the building and video of movers removing a one thousand-pound industrial mixer from the building on April 29. The bakery’s phone number has been disconnected and its social media accounts went silent in mid-April.
The shop was originally founded in Livonia in 1923, according to a 1977 Detroit Free Press obituary for former owner Elizabeth A. Knudsen. Over the years, many generations of customers stayed loyal to the shops cakes, doughnuts, and pastries. Within the past six months, the business appears to have come under new management. One commenter Zvonko Dimitrieski, who also manages the bakery’s Facebook page, wrote on November 1, 2017: “Knudsen’s is making a comeback! New ideas are in the works with a whole new makeover!”
Late Friday evening following the original reports of the closure, the Dimitrieski family confirmed the closure in a statement shared on Facebook and Instagram: “We closed our doors for the last time last Saturday. It’s time for a vacation. The Dimitrieski family would like to thank the city of Detroit for all the love and support. Thank you.”
The 2,600-square-foot property at 18601 W McNichols Rd. was originally listed on LoopNet for $150,000 on March 16. The listing advertises an opportunity to create a “restaurant, office space or continue to use as a Bakery [sic].”
Update: May 5, 2018, 7:53 a.m.
This story has been updated to include a statement from Knudsen’s owner confirming the closing.
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