Shutters Down At Pune’s Iconic Kayani Bakery

The iconic ‘Kayani Bakery’ in Pune received a notice to down its shutters on 7th October, 2017, causing an uproar of emotions amongst its loyal customers and patrons. The Pune Cantonment Board issued a notice to Kayani and two other restaurants, Kwality and Bagban, for failing to procure a trade license since 2006. It was normal business for Kayani until Thursday, however since 12th October, disappointed customers had no choice but to return empty handed on witnessing one of the city’s oldest legacy shut shop. The closure of the three establishments was ordered by sub-area Commander and Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) President, Brigadier Rajiv Sethi, after conducting a joint inspection with PCB and Defence Estates Office (DEO) officials on Monday, where it was noted that the three business had failed to renew their trade license which is a necessity for it is located in the cantonments ‘Bungalow area’ where the premises have been rented out by the Central Government on an old grant basis (long lease) and does not allow commercial operations. A PCB official said the bakery owners met PCB executive officer D N Yadav on Tuesday and submitted a copy of the government land register extract, which states the premises had been given on lease to run a shop and restaurant.

Synonymous with Pune, Kayani Bakery was established in 1955 by Hormuz and Khodayar Irani in one of the bungalow that fall under the defence estate and at that time were rented out to various Zoroastrian families who utilized the same for commercial purposes. Known for its Shrewsbury biscuits and value for money mawa cakes, flaky khari and crisp wine biscuits, it is said that the bakery used to earlier limit the sale of Shrewsbury to ensure they were not re-sold elsewhere.

The news of Kayani shutting down hasn’t gone down well by innumerable customers, with one 38-year-old, Krishna Kamath, a resident of Malad even launching a petition to save the legendary bakery, by collectively ‘raising voice against any injustice that is being served to Kayani Bakery’. Speaking to Parsi Times Farida Tarapore who visits Pune often said, “There has never been a time when I have returned to Mumbai without carrying some of Kayani’s goodies for my family and friends. Besides being well-known for their Shrewsberry and ‘batassas’, the workers at Kayani too, are extremely efficient.”