Are you a local business?
Parco Closes After Sudden Passing of Owner Alex Pozzan
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 7:43AM Some sad news to report from the southern end of the neighborhood: Alez Pozzan, the Italian ex-pat who opened Parco on 7th Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets in 2003, passed away suddenly last week, and his popular cafe has closed, possibly for good.
Pozzan came to the city in the early 2000s from the northern Italian mountain village of Cortina D'Ampezzo, and soon afterwards he opened his tiny cafe, which made some of the best croissants, quiches, dog treats, and other baked goods around. One of the area's finest and least expensive breakfast items was his croissant sandwich, filled with eggs, cheddar, and ham or bacon. A croissant or crepe filled with spinach, prosciutto, and mozzarella made for an equally satisfyng lunch, along with quiches in varieties like sweet corn and bacon. Available foods changed daily according to what Pozzan wanted to make, and he was known to whip up creations on the spot after a customer suggestion. Coffee, from La Colombe, was also some of the neighborhood's best.
Friends left a note on the front gate, spotted by FIPS (who is also helping to find his dog, Luca, a new home):
You'll be missed, Alex, and so will your charming little cafe.
Food, Storefronts
Reader Comments (5)
Huge loss , he was a real nice neighborhood guy and had the best croissants around!
They had some excellent coffee, but to say "some of the best criossants [sic], quiches, dog treats" --well, I think all the food must have been meant as a dog treat.
Sad about the closing though, and the death, obviously.
I lived a block away when he opened and it was such a joy to have a legit cafe. It was great to witness PARCO become an anchor of sorts. Am really sad to hear about Alex's passing. He was such a nice man. Does anyone know how he passed?
He and his cafe were very well loved.
I second - best croissants in Park Slope.
He was a great guy. He made Parco the only cafe on Seventh with an interesting, eccentric kind of vibe. Parco and the donut diner - best coffee stops on the avenue for a bit of life and conversation.
I work in the restaurant industry and served Alex's place Parco. We run into many kinds of people, most of which are very demanding and rude, however Alex was a great guy and was always someone we loved to help because he was so nice. We will miss your kindness Alex.