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Duane Park Patisserie caught in bureaucratic snafu
So much for the City of Yes! Duane Park Patisserie, which has been on Duane for 33 years, has been closed by the city Department of Health for operating without a permit. But here’s what’s infuriating: since 1992 when Madeline Lanciani opened her shop, she has had a permit from New York State Department of Agriculture for a wholesale business with retail as an accessory use.
Last year, Madeline applied for a city DOH license because she added tables to the inside, but she was turned down because she had a DOA license from the state. Neither agency offered any insight into how to proceed.
And then yesterday, she was issued the closed order for not having a DOH license. She’s trying now to get a DOH license — and I am awaiting word on an email sent jointly to the two state and city agencies.
“This has been a bureaucratic nightmare issue since last year, when neither agency could tell me what to do,” Madeline said.
The city Department of Health told me this: “The Duane Park Patisserie was licensed under the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets until 8/14/2025, when that permit expired. The NYC Health Department issued a violation for no permit on 9/8/2025 and closed the establishment on 10/20/25 for operating without a permit. They have since applied for a Health permit and must pass an inspection before they can reopen.”
Why the permit expired after 33 years is unclear…
In the meantime, quite a few neighbors have asked me what is going on. (Thanks to E. for the shot.) AND all this as Madeline is in the midst of selling her business. And we wonder why small business owners want to flee New York City…
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It’s absurd these people have nothing better to do. You shouldn’t even need a license to open a bakery. If you eliminated half the people in city and state government, you either wouldn’t notice, or it would be an improvement.
I don’t like this at all. We know our government agencies are disorganized, inefficient, and ineffective, and this is a key example of that.
Also, what a horrible time to try to pull this on a small business!! The holiday season is probably one of the most important for a place like this (I know I send family and friends ring dings, across the country)..
Maybe speak to Marte?
DOHMH has an ombudsman for food establishments. Perhaps Madeline can try there?
https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/business/food-operators/food-service-establishment-ombuds-office.page
bureaucracy nightmare from New York State!
we’ve emerged from the permit quagmire and are back open!
thanks for everyone’s patience and support!
Yay!!!
So happy to hear that Madeline has been successful in her battle with NYS bureaucracy. It is absurd that this happened at all with a well established small business. Best wishes to the bakery and Madeline going forward.