Beloved Brooklyn Pork Store G. Esposito & Sons closes its doors after 100 years: The building that housed the family business is up for sale for $3.3 million.
- G. in Jersey. Esposito & Sons Jersey Pork Store closes after a century
- The owners quit after rising rents put them out of business
- The shop was opened in 1922 when the original owner immigrated from Italy
A beloved Italian butcher in Brooklyn went out of business after 100 years as rising rents drove them out.
G. located at 357 Court Street. Esposito & Sons Jersey Pork Store quietly closed its doors on April 10 after a century of local residents since 1922. The shop — which was attached to a four-story town home — sold for $3.3 million.
Frank Esposito’s great-grandfather opened the shop when he immigrated to New York City from Italy and quickly grew his loyal customer base.
Over time, the Esposito family watched real estate prices fluctuate and eventually realized that the store would eventually close rather than continue to pass on to future generations.
Some customers stopped by the store on its last day open to say goodbye to the Esposito family and shed tears when they were offered free meals.
G. in Jersey. Esposito & Sons Jersey Pork Store closed April 10 after a century
The owners quit after rising rents put them out of business. The prices were too high to pass on the business. Pictured: The pig statue that stood outside the shop
Devastated customers found out the store was closing last month when they walked past the front window to see the sign.
Until closing, some people stopped by to give gifts to the Esposito family for their service.
In return, co-owner John Esposito and his sons Frank and George wanted to give their loyal customers a warm farewell by giving them free food on their last day outdoors.
Frank Esposito told the New York Post, ‘I think he’s been shocked by how many people have come up and thanked him and given him gifts and cried.
Rita, a 95-year-old customer, recalled that she had been shopping at the store since she was a child. She was one of the loyal customers bidding farewell to the beloved store, along with others who bought trays of sausages and eggplant parmesan.
The shop famously sourced its meat from North and South Carolina but was once known to import it from New Jersey.
Goodbyes were difficult for some clients who initially bought real estate in the neighborhood because they fell in love with Esposito.
George Esposito said, ‘I got letters from people who bought brownstones in this neighborhood because of us.
‘People said, “You know, I wasn’t sure if I was going to invest in this area, I shopped in your store once, then said I want to shop in this neighborhood, because Esposito’s is here.”‘
Devastated customers found out the store was closing last month when they walked past the front window to see the sign
The shop opened in 1922 when the original owner moved from Naples, Italy
It was a difficult choice for the family to leave the famous shop behind as rising rents in the area were too much for Frank and George – both in their 60s – to consider moving the family business on.
Despite the closure, the family’s legacy may be sticking around for a while. According to a news source, several authors have approached George to publish his family’s famous recipes.
One of the most requested recipes is for its rice balls.
Meanwhile, the family once again enjoys their weekend with family and looks forward to what the future holds.
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