Bari Pork Store, a beloved Italian deli and Bensonhurst staple, will close its doors for good on June 30, the owners announced this week.
First opened in 1969, the establishment has been run by co-owners George Firantello and Tony Turrigiano for 26 and 37 years, respectively. Known for its traditional Italian fare, homemade sausage and old-school neighborhood charm, Bari has been a go-to for generations of Brooklynites.
But after decades of service, the owners say rising costs and shifting neighborhood dynamics have made it impossible to keep the business going.
“The price of everything is going up and the neighborhood is changing,” Firantello told Brooklyn Paper. “People don’t patronize local stores, they go to other stores.”
“We can’t just survive on holiday [patronage] alone, so we’re forced to close the doors,” he continued.
Since the announcement on Monday, social media has outpoured in support. Featured on the Instagram page ItalianEnclaves, the announcement has over 5,000 likes and dozens of comments from longtime fans of the establishment.
“We should be thanking you! The fabric of so many memories,” one user wrote. Another added, “This is a prime example of why it’s so very important to support your local mom and pop stores.”
The reaction has been deeply felt by the owners. Firantello said he’s seen customers return from as far as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Staten Island — even many who they hadn’t seen in over a decade.
The closing adds to a significant shift in Bensonhurst’s small business landscape. In May, SAS Italian Records, another Italian-American institution, announced its closure after 58 years in business. In recent years, local fixtures like Tasty Bagels and Lenny’s Pizzeria have also shuttered, and in 2023, another classic pork store — G. Esposito & Sons — closed in Carroll Gardens.
According to the Bensonhurst Brooklyn Commercial District Needs Assessment, businesses are continuing to “cope with reduced foot traffic due to COVID-19,” which has “negatively impacted the shopping experiences and altered habits of both merchants and residents in the neighborhood.” These factors, along with broader gentrification trends and shifting consumer behaviors have sped up the disappearance of long-time staples.
Still, Firrantello is proud of Bari’s legacy.
“We always love what we do here, otherwise, I wouldn’t be here as long as I am,” he said. “All of our customers have become family members and friends.”
Bari Pork Store will remain open until the end of June, giving customers a final chance to stock up and say goodbye.
