BAZZINI BUILDING, Tribeca

by Kevin Walsh

The Bazzini nut empire moved out of the massive 339-343 Greenwich at Jay Street in 2009 after 123 years in Tribeca; it was originally located on Park Place but moved here in 1968. Bazzini’s sold nuts, confections and produce in a combination wholesale and retail market here. Bazzini continues to own the building, but leased its space to Sarabeth’s Restaurant. The nut distributor joined many other comestibles dealers in relocating to Hunt’s Point in the Bronx and later to Allentown, PA. Packaged Bazzini nuts are still a staple in groceries and drugstores. The large Romanesque Revival brick edifice opened as a warehouse in 1900, and it has housed electrics dealers and, of course, dairy suppliers in its long history. Here’s how it looked in 1940, when the 9th Avenue El rattled past.

Bazzini was founded in 1886 by an Italian immigrant, Anthony L. Bazzini. The brand has been sold at Yankee Stadium since the Babe Ruth era. In 2011, a conglomerate was formed by Bazzini and Barton’s Chocolate.

Much more from Greenwich Street on this FNY page.

Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop, and as always, “comment…as you see fit.”

3/1/21

9 comments

Patrick March 1, 2021 - 8:22 pm

Another place I hadn’t been to since I worked in Tribeca in the 90s. I have recollection of a vast array of candies in addition to the nuts.

Reply
Peter March 2, 2021 - 4:38 pm

It’s quite possible the El was already out of service in the 1940 tax photo as service had ended on July 11. There is no specific date on the photo and no clues as to what time of the year it might have been.

Reply
Joe Fliel March 2, 2021 - 6:36 pm

The tax photo could have been taken in 1939, before the El was razed. The photos were taken between 1939 and 1941 and there was a continuation, 1949-1951, to document buildings which weren’t photographed due to the project being suspended because of WWII.

Reply
Nirmal March 2, 2021 - 9:52 pm

Really? Allentown? Hahaha! I moved from the Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton (Lehigh valley) area almost 11 years ago. I need to look that up next time I go visit friends and family down there!

Reply
Kevin Walsh March 3, 2021 - 10:48 am

That’s the info I read. I could be wrong.

Reply
Nirmal March 7, 2021 - 1:16 am

No joe is correct!

1035 Mill Rd, Allentown, PA 18106
And
6845 Snowdrift Rd, Allentown, PA 18106

(They’re right near each other.)

It’s a bit west of centre city Allentown. That’s fascinating tho!

Reply
Joe Fliel March 5, 2021 - 10:27 am

The company did relocate to Allentown. They said so in the link:

https://www.bazzininuts.com/about-us/

Reply
Nirmal March 7, 2021 - 1:19 am

Yep that’s a Lehigh valley area code too. We had that area code for awhile. I believe it used to be philly’s, and they switched with us. We were 215 prior to the switch. So I heard years ago. When I moved here, I had to get used to 718, 343, 929, 485, 347, u name it lol

Reply
Larry Gertner March 23, 2021 - 8:29 am

I’m always amazed to see how close these Els were to building windows!

Reply

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.