Cedar Springs Institution Shuttering Doors on Sunday

A Cedar Springs landmark will be serving its last rounds of mimosas and eggs Benedict this Sunday. The Bronx Café, which has resided near Observer headquarters at Oak Lawn and Cedar Springs for almost 35 years, has been sold to the adjacent Warwick Melrose Hotel. Co-owner Jess Gilbert told us that he and partner Howard Jacks decided to sell the property a couple of months ago so both men could retire. The deal was finalized this week, and the hotel has given them until next Wednesday to vacate, according to Gilbert, who also added he doesn't know what the hotel will do with the property. Sunday brunch will be the last service at the restaurant, and at 3 p.m. the doors will close. Gilbert and Jacks will hold a private party for friends, family and special guests at 4 p.m. "[Gilbert and Jacks] started Cedar Springs," longtime Bronx employee Jamie Carmen says, "The restaurant is an institution in this neighborhood. It's just a really bad dream."