06/03/2026
To our friends, family, neighbors, and patrons,
It is with a heavy heart that, after 34 years, I announce that Duane Park Patisserie will be closing its doors.
Duane Park Patisserie was born from my love of cooking and baking, but also from a desire to give back to the neighborhood where I raised my children. My hope was to create more than a bakery–a welcoming “third space” or community hub from which to serve smiles in the form of sweet treats.
Over the years, I have watched neighbors stop in for their morning coffee, students spread out their books after school, young adults work their first jobs, and families celebrate birthdays, holidays, and milestones. I have had the privilege of watching children grow up, welcoming new faces, and getting to know generations of families who became much more than customers.
Together, we built something special.
I am incredibly proud of what we created, and I am deeply grateful for the support, loyalty, and friendship you have shown me over the past three and a half decades. It has been an honor to be part of your daily routines, celebrations, and lives.
Let me be clear: if I could, I would continue to serve you. As many of you may know, I have tried to find a buyer for my company. The decision to close is a result of the owners of my space seizing an opportunity to replace me with a more lucrative tenant. While I have fought hard, both in and out of court, I have faced significant financial and emotional losses; unfortunately, I do not have the resources to continue the battle.
While Duane Park Patisserie may be closing, the neighborhood we all love remains. A community is not defined by a storefront or a city block, but by the people who care for one another. So please, continue to support local businesses. Be kind to your neighbors. Thank your teachers, first responders, essential workers, and service industry professionals. Lend a hand when someone needs it. And if you see a dog on the street, give them an extra scratch behind the ears for me.
If we continue these everyday acts of kindness, the spirit of Duane Park Patisserie will live on long after our doors close.
Our final day of retail will be Sunday, June 14. We'll be open until 6pm that evening. Until then, we will continue operating as usual, and you’ll find me in my usual place in the kitchen or pouring your coffee. I hope you’ll stop in, say hello, share a memory, and help us celebrate 34 wonderful years together. Our dear neighbor, Carla Bauer, has created a journal in which you can share memories; it’s on the old stove just as you walk in.
Finally, thank you. To every customer, employee, friend, neighbor, parent, child, and furry companion who walked through our admittedly stubborn front door: thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your lives. Serving this community has been the greatest privilege and joy of my life.
I'll be holding a final "estate sale" on June 20 and 21 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., featuring Duane Park Patisserie merchandise, artwork, vintage finds, baking equipment, memorabilia, and plenty of odds and ends collected over the years. Whether you're looking for a coffee mug, a t-shirt, a dinosaur cake pan, or simply want to stop by and say goodbye, I'd love to see you.
With love and gratitude,
Chef Madeline Lanciani
P.S. Many of you have asked how you can help. The legal battle to keep Duane Park Patisserie open came at a significant personal and financial cost. Our longtime friend, Emily Kabalkin, has created a GoFundMe to help support me during this transition. If you would like to contribute, I've included the link below. Your generosity, kindness, and encouragement mean more to me than words can express.
The legal battle to keep Duane Park Patisserie open came at a… Emily Kabalkin needs your support for Help Madeline Lanciani, Who Gave So Much to Our Community
