Midtown will be welcoming its first gluten-free bakery.
Pip’s Place, an upscale gluten-free bakery, will open its second location in the city in the heart of Midtown near Grand Central. The bakery, which currently operates out of a shop on the Upper East Side at 1729-31 1st Avenue between 89th and 90th Street, will add a second 700-square-foot space at 127 East 39th Street. Located a few steps off the corner of Lexington Avenue, the bakery will sell a variety of gluten-free baked products like cakes, muffins, cookies, squares, loaves, scones, and granola.
“This area is ideal for Pip’s Place because it is in the center of Manhattan and steps from Grand Central,” said Justin Lerner, an associate at Square Foot Realty. “That is important because people with celiac disease, who can only eat gluten free products, now have a location that is very accessible.”
Given the rise in prominence of celiac disease, which affects about one in one hundred in the United States, Americans are becoming conscious of their gluten consumption.
“There is also no competition for Pip’s Place,” Mr. Lerner added. “[There is] no other gluten free bakery nearby.”
Mr. Lerner was joined by his colleague Howard Aaron in representing the landlord, H&M Realty. Pip’s Place was represented by Mary Hall Mayer, a broker at Halstead Property.
“The landlord was looking for a unique tenant who would bring value to the surrounding neighborhood,” said Mr. Lerner.
The building at 127 East 39th Street was recently renovated and transformed to include brand new bay windows overlooking the street. The space maintains its prewar charm with modern features. The asking rent for the renovated space was $111 square feet. The lease with Pip’s Place was signed for 10 years.
