The very first Zaro's Bakery closed Monday after 55 years in the Bronx due to high rent, the owners say.

Stuart Zaro, one of the owners, says the landlord, Olshan Properties, notified his family six weeks ago that it would not renew the lease.

The bakery placed signs on the front doors last week to alert its customers. The signs thanked them for years of patronage and gave a number to call if they were dissatisfied with the landlord's lease decision.

Hattie Ivory says she made stopping by the bakery part of her routine for 30 years. 

"It's like losing a friend," Ivory says. 

Olshan Properties released a statement saying it was working with Zaro's to agree to terms at a different storefront.

"Unfortunately, Zaro's Bakery could not meet the terms of renewal for this space," the company's senior vice president said in the statement. "However, we are currently trying to work with them on another retail location at Parkchester."

The Zaro family, which has operated the bakery for four generations, says a Boston Market will open in the space. Family members say they hope to relocate to another Bronx location -- either in the Hub or Castle Hill. 

The bakery closed at 9:30 p.m. Monday.