STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Earlier this month, Mark’s Bake Shoppe faced a bleak future. Owners Mark and Amanda Intoccia knew their business’s numbers and situation were dire. On March 9, they announced on social media the closure of their retail operation. Just a few days later, much of their equipment was tagged for auction.

The reaction from the community was swift and supportive. Fellow Staten Islanders rallied, and love and kind words poured in from former employees, long-time fans, and even those who had never heard of the bakery, which is built on German-American recipes. By Wednesday, March 26, the couple had received so much commercial business that they decided to keep the retail bakery operation open to the public.

Mark’s Bake Shoppe, located at 3479 Richmond Rd., will reopen for business on Wednesday, April 2. The shop will have a refreshed look with new paint and possibly a table or two for customer convenience.

There will be some changes, Mark said. The new hours will be Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. On Sundays between noon and 3 p.m., there will be a discount to help clear out inventory. Monday will be a day off for everyone.

Reflecting on their situation, Amanda shared, “We could not go on anymore. Financially, we knew we could not continue.”

An auctioneer was called in, which added another emotional layer for the couple. Typically, restaurant auctions are a boon for buyers and scrappers who pick up used equipment for pennies on the dollar. It is a painful process for a business owner to see their life’s work dismantled with little emotion from what can be likened to scavengers picking through their things.

Mark halted the auction. With a fresh set of lucrative commercial contracts presented to them, the future now looks bright. Amanda often jokes with Mark that he looks like an “Angry Baker.” As April approaches, he truly can’t help but smile.

Mark’s Bake Shoppe is located at: 3479 Richmond Rd., Richmond, 718=668-2600.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance/Silive.com Food Editor. She can be reached at .