‘Last hurrah’ for Nutty Greek Bake Shop bittersweet for regulars

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News ‘Last hurrah’ for Nutty Greek Bake Shop bittersweet for regulars After 15 years, a Little Italy Greek bakery is bidding farewell to its community. Author of the article: By Abyssinia Abebe Published Sep 19, 2026 Last updated 42 minutes ago 3 minute read Join the conversation Anna Papadopoulos works the cash register on the last day of business for the Nutty Greek Bake Shop in Little Italy. PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Article content Inside the Nutty Greek Bake Shop, a teary-eyed Natalie Esau had just picked up a brown bag of her last meal — a small village salad with a side of chicken — and two boxes full of baked goods from the family-owned bakery. Article content Her fingers brushed up against her lower eyelids, barricading tears she fought to hold back. She hugged Anna Papadopoulos, who stood behind the register. Like many in line before and after her, the paper brown bag would be her last from the shop. Article content Article content Article content “This is it,” Esau said as she sat outside the shop on the patio. After 15 years of serving the Little Italy community, Papadopoulos and her family were working what would be their last shift before the bakery closed for good on Sept. 19, 2026. Article content The Evening Citizen The Ottawa Citizen’s best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content “I’ll just put my sun glasses on,” Esau said with a nervous laugh. Article content Nutty Greek Bake Shop regular Natalie Esau says she’ll also miss “people in the community that I literally know just from here.” PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Article content Family members themselves were flooded with orders on their last day and declined an interview request. The weight of this new reality was just starting to settle in as the crowd slowly ramped up. Article content Esau is the owner of Upkeep Shoppe, a spa on Preston Street, not far from the bakery. For 14 of the 15 years Nutty Greek had been operating, the two businesses had formed a bond. Esau and her staff members would eat at the bakery, and the bakery family would visit Esau’s spa. Article content The relationship was more than “just food,” Esau said between bites. “It’s…