Dominique Ansel Bakery, home of the Cronut, reopened this morning after a brief closing due to “severe mouse infestation.” Droves of fans, who lined up to the end of the bakery’s Spring Street block, were undeterred by the threat of rodents.
“Well, it’s kind of like Ratatouille. You had the little mouse in the kitchen in France, and we’re here in New York in this French bakery,” said Jillian Bray, who waited near the front of the line just after the bakery’s 8AM opening. “I really don’t care. You live here long enough and you really aren’t fazed by this kind of stuff.”
“I think it’s cleaner today than it’s probably been in a while,” agreed Jennifer Nance, who was in the city on business.
Before the famed pastry outpost opened its doors, Dominique Ansel came outside to address the crowd, thanking them for their support. He also announced a Rocky Balboa-themed Cronut, because Rocky got up every time he was knocked down. Just like the Cronut.
If nothing else, the morning was a testament to the power of Cronut fever. With a long line of patrons eager to snap up the pastry on its first day back, and a crowd of reporters eager to interview them, the bakery spun a story of mouse poop and Department of Health violations into one of victory snatched from the maws of defeat, Rocky II-style.
“He’s smart. He turned a weakness into a strength,” said Teymour El Derini, who also lined up for a shot at the baked meme. Referring to the scrum of journalists, he added,”He has all of you guys here today.”
“It’s a dirty city,” Derini continued. “I can guarantee 90 percent of restaurants have mice. They just got caught.”
(Photos: Aymann Ismail/ANIMALNewYork)
