Send hogs and kisses.
It’s a classic New Pork story, but it’s nothing less than a pig deal: After 100 years of hard work, this Brooklyn butcher is done bringing home the bacon.
“To our patrons,” above a recent Zagat award, next to a ravioli ad and Carroll Gardens’ G. A heartfelt letter begins behind a large sculpture of an apron pig in the front window of Esposito & Sons Jersey Pork Store. “April 10th will be our last day, it’s hard to say goodbye after 100 years. We thank you for your loyalty. Love, The Espositos.
neither the post nor Eater first reported The impending closure may confirm why the beloved hero-slinging holdout is hanging up the hog for good.
The family-run Pork Chopper has been supplying Italian staples to the brownstone belt neighborhood since 1922, when the family patriarch—a recent move from Naples—opened shop on Columbia Street before later moving to the current location at 357 Court St.
The “Jersey” part of the name dates back to the early days of Espositos, when all of the pigs they sold were sourced from New Jersey.
Today, the meat comes from the Carolinas, but the seasoned red moonshine still proclaims about the catering loudly above the Garden State’s name and the store’s 718 number above a line of white lettering.
Despite shifting stock, this three-generation mom and pop spot has always made freshness a priority.
George Esposito, who co-owns the brick-and-mortar mortadella seller with his brother, “So we sell certain things too much and some other things too little, but thank god we’re still here.” And we’re doing fine.” John Esposito told Gothamist In 2015. “The secret of a business that has lasted nearly a hundred years is love. Love what you are doing and put your heart and soul into it.
The brothers have seen the writing on the butcher block for a while, however, all the heart, soul and prosciutto di Parma in the world can’t save a historic local vendor from the wrath of an ever more expensive real estate market.
“The future, unfortunately, is ending,” George Esposito told Buckliner In 2019. “I am getting old. We are here 100 years. Did not force our children to handle the business, because of the way the business is being run.
John Esposito said, “I don’t know how people can afford to pay the rent here.” to endureD Crane’s in 2012, saying that he was on his feet for 12 hours a day and never took a Saturday off.
The neighborhood may soon be bereft of an irreplaceable gem last of a dineYes breed In this perpetual city, but at least man may soon be able to sleep on Saturday.