Rudy’s Bakery and Café, a cherished fixture in Ridgewood since 1934, will celebrate its 90th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 26, with a special community event.
To mark the occasion, Rudy’s will offer nostalgic treats at throwback prices, including their famous jelly doughnuts for just 90 cents and boxed assortments of treats for $9. The celebration will coincide with the annual Ridgewood Seneca Stroll, bringing together residents and visitors for a day of food, fun and festivities along Seneca Avenue.
From noon to 5 p.m., attendees can enjoy a wide range of family-friendly activities. In addition to the special bakery offerings, there will be food and craft beer tastings, live music, dancing, arts and crafts for children and other entertainment provided by local businesses.
Antoinette “Toni” Binanti, who has owned Rudy’s since 1980 after taking over from previous owner Kurt Schlegelmilch, expressed her gratitude for the bakery’s loyal customer base. “We’re a traditional bakery, and we cater to customers whose families have lived in this neighborhood for generations,” said Binanti. “Though we’ve evolved with the times to offer new confections, we feel we’re part of a tradition here. We’re honored to play a role in the milestones of so many families with the cakes and sweets that are part of their special occasions.”
Rudy’s, the oldest German bakery in Ridgewood, first opened during the Great Depression, serving a neighborhood primarily made up of German immigrants working in nearby breweries and knitting factories. Over the decades, the community has grown to include residents of Irish, Italian, Romanian, Yugoslavian, Puerto Rican, Polish, Dominican and Ecuadorian heritage. The bakery has become a symbol of Ridgewood’s rich cultural history, while also appealing to a new generation of customers, including a growing number of young professionals and “hipsters” in the area.
In recent years, Rudy’s expanded its offerings with the addition of a café, featuring treats created by former MOMA pastry chef Cristina Nastasi. While the bakery continues to serve its traditional German pastries, such as Black Forest cake, Bienenstich and Strudel, new items like salted caramel cake, flourless chocolate cake and vegan and gluten-free options have attracted a wider clientele.
For many long-time customers, Rudy’s is more than just a bakery—it is a place steeped in personal memories. “We love our customers and are happy to provide them with the baked goods they remember from childhood,” said Binanti. “So many have favorites they now share with their children, and those children are making their own memories here.”
Rudy’s is located at 905 Seneca Ave. and offers a cozy, dine-in café experience with free WiFi, along with specialty cakes for all occasions. The bakery also features seasonal treats like homemade dark hot chocolate in the winter and iced Nutella lattes during the summer.
For more information on the celebration and the Ridgewood Seneca Stroll, visit ridgewood-ny.com or call 718-381-7974.
