Oh wow! Magnolia Bakery was shut down because of a mice infestation.
Andromache and I were returning from the park when we discovered the shuttered shop. Standing in front was a fretful clerk turning away the deeply disappointed tourists who were holding guide books directing them to what has become the must-see, must-buy, and must-eat location in the West Village.
“Why” I asked “are you closed?”
The clerk looked away as she lied, telling me that “plaster was falling from the ceiling because of a water leak.”
Some months ago, I saw a mouse running along the ledge of the front window; I guess to escape the traffic inside.
Just a few days ago, I walked into a young French couple studying a map as they asked “pour la direction Magnolia.” I had just enough French to tell them.
I did ask the fretful clerk how much the glob of butter and sugar cupcake now costs – $3.25. I was very pleased that the high cost had prevented me from ever trying a Magnolia Mice Muffin.
