Paul Pogozelski and Rudy’s Bakery and Café owner Antoinette “Toni” Binanti in Ridgewood.
Photo courtesy of Paul Pogozelski
Rudy’s Bakery and Café owner Antoinette “Toni” Binanti welcomed members of the Middle Village Roller Hockey League‘s Hitmen team for a special championship celebration following the team’s Queens Moloney Cup victory. The gathering recognized the Hitmen’s successful season and championship run, with players and coaches enjoying cookies and milk courtesy of the neighborhood spot. The team proudly wore pink jerseys featuring the Rudy’s Bakery logo throughout its championship campaign.
The bakery, located at 9-05 Seneca Ave., has played an important role in supporting the Middle Village Roller Hockey League since its inception. In 2023, when league founder Paul Pogozelski announced plans to establish the league during a Queens Community Board 5 (CB5) meeting, Binanti immediately stepped forward as the organization’s first sponsor. Since that initial commitment, Rudy’s Bakery has continued to support the league through sponsorships, special events, and community partnerships that provide local youth with opportunities to participate in organized sports, according to a press release.
Photo courtesy of Paul Pogozelski
“When Toni learned that the Hitmen had won the Queens Moloney Cup while representing Rudy’s Bakery on their jerseys, she wanted to recognize the team’s accomplishment in a special way,” said Pogozelski in a statement. “Her support has been there from the very beginning, and this celebration was another example of her commitment to our players and our community.”
Binanti, who took the helm of Rudy’s Bakery for 46 years, stepped in as a sponsor out of an enduring desire to support community organizations that provide healthy spaces. “I support anybody that I feel needs my support,” Binanti said.
As a renowned Ridgewood local, she has given her hand towards initiatives that uplift residents, whether through cake donations or sponsorships. During her conversation with Pogozelski, he said he was pleased to have Middle Village residents know more about the bakery and its location, highlighting his appreciation for the role of small businesses in community development.
Photo courtesy of Paul Pogozelski
The championship celebration underscored the strong relationship between local businesses and community-based youth athletics. Through the support of sponsors such as Rudy’s Bakery, the Middle Village Roller Hockey League continues to grow while fostering “teamwork, sportsmanship, and neighborhood pride.”
For the Hitmen players, the visit to Rudy’s Bakery served as a sweet reward for their hard work and dedication throughout a season that concluded with the Queens Moloney Cup championship. The Middle Village Roller Hockey League encourages residents to support Rudy’s Bakery and all of the locally owned businesses that sponsor league teams, events, and programs. These community partners help make youth sports possible and play a vital role in the league’s continued success.
A complete list of league sponsors can be found on the Middle Village Roller Hockey League sponsor page.