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'Once Upon A Tart' Comes to an End

NEW YORK—Twenty-three years ago, Once Upon A Tart was one of three establishments to open on Sullivan Street in SoHo, a working class family neighborhood at the time. Over the years, owner Jerome Audureau has been proud to create a community hub where senior regulars who cannot afford to go anywhere else feel just as welcome as Meg Ryan and Brad Pitt. 

Now, crippled by costs, the community is losing their go-to place to catch up with neighbors. On Saturday evening, Audureau closed the doors to Once Upon A Tart for the last time.

Saturday at lunch, Audureau was busy with hugs and handshakes as neighbors from all walks of life streamed in with well wishes and condolences. Patrons were nothing short of heartbroken as the reality of the closing set in.

Danielle Nazinitsky, who runs the neighborhood blog SoHo Strut, said the shop was one of the few neighborhood spots left in SoHo.