Blue Duck Bakery To Close Southampton Location After 19 Years

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — After 19 sweet years, owners Nancy and Keith Kouris announced Monday that they are saddened to announce the closing of their well-loved Southampton location.

The building, located at at 30 Hampton Road, has a new owner, Joseph Gurrera — the owner and founder of Citarella — who has different plans for the site, a release from Blue Duck Bakery Cafe said.

"After over five years of operating without a lease, while previous, perspective and current owners worked out their decisions," the Kouris’ said they hoped to gain a new lease to continue to operate their popular bakery café.

However, in March 2018, they were "surprised to find out that the building was sold and to continue month to month until further notice.That notice came Sept. 1, with 30 days to vacate," they said.

The last day of operation will be Saturday, Sept. 15; a celebration is planned to coincide with National Bakery Day on Sept. 14th to say "thank you for the many years of patronage" to their Southampton customers, they said.

The Blue Duck Bakery Cafe has three other locations on the North Fork in Riverhead, Southold and Greenport, which will all remain open.

The bakery has a rich history in Southampton, opening on Columbus Day weekend in 1999. A three -alarm fire due to a faulty oven installation on the business' third day of operation hindered the launch. But their indomitable spirits persevered and, after recovering from the fire, the Kouris’ set about introducing European style artisan breads to the community.

"It was a tough sell at first, but eventually the crusty, chewy, preservative free bread caught on," they said.

A new wholesale business emerged and in 2008, after growing out of the Southampton location, they moved the bread production to Southold, where it continues today. The production of doughs and pies remained in Southampton. The Riverhead and Greenport locations opened in 2012 and 2013, respectively.

“We are so very thankful for all Southampton has done for us. Keith and I are heartbroken we will be leaving our first location that helped us grow and introduce our breads and baked goods to so many”, said Nancy Kouris. “We know Mr. Gurrera will finally give the building a much-needed facelift after so many years of neglect and we wish him well.”

All orders after September 15th can go through the other locations.

A call to Gurerra for comment was not immediately returned.

Patch photo courtesy Kouris family.