Street to be Co-Named to Honor Late Owner of Inwood's Carrot Top Pastries

INWOOD, NY — A stretch of Broadway that's home to Inwood's Carrot Top Pastries will be co-named for the bakery's late owner.

Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law Wednesday a bill that will co-name 65 streets and public places throughout all five boroughs of Manhattan. One such proposed location, Broadway between West 214th and 125th streets, will be co-named Renee Mancino Way in honor of the beloved Inwood resident who died in 2014. More than 650 people signed a petition on Change.org in support of the the co-naming.

"For over 35 years, Renee generously donated to senior centers, little leagues, neighborhood organizations, cultural institutions, historic houses, colleges, universities, local police, fire and sanitation departments," reads the petition.

The bill was co-sponsored by City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez and several other city council members.

""I'm so proud to honor Rene Mancino, a treasure whose legacy lives on through her neighborhood institutions," Rodriguez said. "Carrot Top has long been the go-to place for baked goods uptown and Ms. Mancino's baking warmed the hearts of all who stopped in. This co-naming will acknowledge her place in our neighborhood's history and give all who walk by a moment of pause in her remembrance.""

De Blasio spoke Wednesday about the importance of honoring neighborhood figures while signing the co-naming bill.

"When we rename a part of the five boroughs it's a very, very special moment – and it's because we believe that someone has done something great and they have epitomized all that is great about New York City, so we honor them in this way," de Blasio said.

The mayor also said that when the city decides to co-name a street in someone's honor the process often starts with community advocates. One such community advocate, Martin Collins was present as de Blasio signed the proposition into law.

"On behalf of Bob Mancino, Renee's husband, and family, thanks to Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez, Community Board 12, and all Washington Heights-Inwood community groups, houses of worship, little leagues, schools, senior centers, theater groups, home-owners and tenants associations, and neighborhood residents who sent emails and letters. We also thank the 1,300 people who supported this fitting tribute to Renee by signing the petition online or at Carrot Top Pastries," Collins said in a statement.

An unveiling date for the street's co-naming is expected to be announced soon by city officials.

Mancino owned the Carrot Top Pastries until 2014, when she committed suicide amid health problems and concerns that her landlord would hike up the the rent at Carrot Top Pastries.

"Thirty years don't mean nothing. We paid rent 31 years and you have to open up negotiations? We broke our backs for 31 years. We built this business," her husband Bob Mancino told the New York Post in 2014. "My wife killed herself right in front of me because she couldn't take it any longer."

[Photo: Google Maps street view circa January 2013]