Billy's Bakery on 9th Avenue in Chelsea

It was during an episode of Martha Stewart a few months ago that I first heard of Billy's Bakery. Since when visiting NYC, over the years, not only do I almost always stay in the Chelsea area but, since 1992, windows along 8th and 9th Avenues in the Chelsea area have been amongst my most prolific themes.

I, therefore, was quite surprised to learn during an episode of Martha Stewart that Billy's Bakery is located is located at 184 9th Avenue near 21st Street in Chelsea.

Though I have posted some of my March 2006 9th Avenue - Chelsea photos to flickr it is quite possible when I go through the entire March 2006 NYC collection, many which have not yet been posted, that I'll find images of Billy's Bakery because it was during my March 2006 visit to NYC that I focused, specifically, on windows and store fronts along 8th and 9th Avenues in Chelsea.

It was during a Saturday, 01 September 2007 photo walk that Richard and I first observed Billy's Bakery. When Richard returned on Wednesday or Thursday night to purchase a slice of chocolate cake for himself, he picked up four lemon squares for me.

His slice of chocolate cake was so big that he said that he would leave some in the refigerator for me. Returning to 'frig a few minutes later, he said "Don't worry, there is plenty left for you."

Which he would repeat several times through the night and early morning

When, the next morning, the I asked "Where is the chocolate cake from last night?" he had the audacity to look surprised and say "You must have eaten it. I left you a big piece!".

On Friday evening Richard and I met Michael at the Hunter College subway stop and took a ride out to Brooklyn which is where Richard would stay Friday night and I would join them on Sunday morning.

Not wanting to leave NYC without having experienced a Billy's cake after dining at Boston Market on West 23rd Saturday night on my way back to Lothar's apartment on West 20th, between 8th and 9th Avenue, I stopped in at Billy's Bakery and picked up a slice Billy's carrot cake.

Once back at the apartment the first thing that I did was to call Richard on cell out in Brooklyn and rub it in that, as he had done the night before with 'his' chocolate cake, I would be spending the rest of the night and early morning watching old movies on the TV and eating Billy's carrot cake.

And it was good too. But, perhaps, and as Martha would say "It was a good thing!"

When in the Chelsea are of Manhattan, it would be a good thing for you to stop in at Billy's Bakery. Located at 184 9th Avenue just north of 21st Street hours are:

Monday to Thurs: 9am-11pm
Friday: 9am-12am
Saturday: 9am-12am
Sunday: 10am-11pm

Telephone at 212.647.9956 and Fax at 212.647.9953

Here are some frequently asked questions pertaining to Billy's Bakery which is owned and operated by Billy Reeece.