After serving Brooklynites for 100 years, Carroll Gardens’ G. Esposito & Sons Jersey Pork Store, one of Brooklyn’s oldest butchers, has sadly closed down, as reported by Eater.
According to the platform, the news came via a sign posted on the shop’s window, reading:
“To Our Patrons: April 10th will be our last day, it’s tough to say goodbye after 100 years. We thank you for your loyalty. Love, The Espositos.”
Employees did not specify the reason for closing, says Eater.
Co-owner George Esposito told Bklyner back in 2019 however that “the future, unfortunately, [would be] coming to an end,” as due to where the business was headed the owners did not push their kids to take it over.
The shop first made its presence known when they opened back in 1922 after the founder moved to New York by way of Naples, Italy, says Eater. With no menu in sight the shop offered everything from sweet and hot sausage and sopressata to veal and mortadella, though pork was the main star.
Their sausages were “made with love,” Frank Esposito told Brooklyn Paper, adding that they used his great grandfather’s recipe from 1922.
It was “a meat store grandma would love,” so says The New York Times.
Running the business was no easy feat, however. John Esposito told The New York Times that in this business you “never stop working,” and he unfortunately has gone through two hip replacements.
Serving newcomers and dedicated old-timers alike, one things’s for certain–all will miss the store…along with the iconic life-sized pig that stood guard out front.
G. Esposito & Sons Jersey Pork Store officially closed Monday, April 10, and tons of New Yorkers were there to show their support.