Conti’s Bakery receives NYS Senate’s Empire Award
BY JASON COHEN
A bakery that has been an
institution in the borough for
nearly a century was recognized
last week for its commitment
to the community.
On Thursday, December 12,
Senator Gustavo Rivera honored
Conti’s Pastry Shoppe, 786
Morris Park Avenue, with the
New York State Senate Empire
Award.
The award is given to a business
that is a leader in their
industry, promotes economic
growth and positively impacts
the community.
“It’s the fi rst time that I’m
here,” Rivera said. “This is the
spot and it’s only been here for
98 years, so you’re probably doing
something right.”
Conti’s Pastry Shoppe owner
Safet Paljevic and his two partners,
Christina DiRusso and
Senada Paljevic accepted the
award. The trio took over the
business 17 years ago.
Conti’s Pastry Shoppe has
been open ten decades and is a
staple in the Morris Park and
Van Nest neighborhoods. It is
continuing the legacy established
by Augustino Conti, who
opened the shop in 1921.
Conti’s has received awards
Conti’s Pastry Shoppe owner Safet Paljevic and his two partners, Senada Paljevic and Christina DiRusso and
Senator Gustavo Rivera. Schneps Media Jason Cohen
from the Edible Bronx, WeddingWire
Couples’ Choice and
Bride’s Choice Awards and
has been featured on NBC and
News12 The Bronx.
The trio spoke with the
Bronx Times about the business
and how they have maintained
its success.
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, D 8 ECEMBER 20-26, 2019 BTR
DiRusso, 34, who began
working there behind the counter
when she was around 18 or
19, told Sal, 44, about the opportunity
to take over the place.
Paljevic, whose background
is in real estate, took a leap of
faith and purchased the eatery.
“I didn’t know anything
about the bakery business,”
Paljevic said.
“We were really lucky because
he believed in what he
saw,” DiRusso said. “He saw
passion and I was very passionate
about the store.”
The trio explained that the
bakery was popular, but the
product line needed a little
facelift.
So, DiRusso and Senada, 38,
watched videos on how to make
specialty cakes and slowly introduced
those to the store.
For decades, the bakery was
known for its cream pies, but
they wanted to offer more.
DiRusso noted people in the
Bronx often had to travel to the
city to fi nd a specialty-layered
cake. Now, with their new approach,
they changed the game
in the area.
“We wanted to fi gure out
how to take it to the next level,”
DiRusso said.
Since taking over, the place
has become their second home
and often they are there when
the sun rises and goes down.
They have increased catering
and ultimately, the bakery is a
labor of love.
Their goal is to make their
customers happy. Whether its
gluten free food or just getting
the order correct, everything is
important, they stressed.
“We took what was here and
we kind of just beautifi ed it,”
DiRusso said. “We spend more
time here than we do at home.”
“We have a great dynamic,”
Senada added.