Beloved Brooklyn ham shop G. Esposito & Sons is closing its doors after 100 years

• The G. Esposito & Sons Jersey Pork Store in Jersey closed after a century
• The owners demanded their resignation after rising rent prices drove them out of business
• The store opened in 1922 when the original owner immigrated from Italy

A beloved Italian butcher in Brooklyn has gone out of business after 100 years as rising rent has driven them out.

The G. Esposito & Sons Jersey Pork Store at 357 Court Street quietly closed its doors on April 10 after a century of serving local residents since 1922. The store—which was attached to a four-story house—sold for $3.3 million.

Frank Esposito’s great-grandfather opened the store when he immigrated to New York City from Italy and quickly grew his base of loyal customers.

Over time, the Esposito family saw real estate prices change and eventually realized that the store would eventually close rather than continue to be passed on to future generations.

Several customers stopped by the store on their last open day to say goodbye to the Espositos and shed a tear when they were offered free food.

Devastated customers realized the shop was closing last month when they walked by the front window to see a sign.

In the lead up to the closing, some people stopped by to bring the Esposito family gifts to serve them.

In turn, co-owner John Esposito and his sons Frank and George wanted their loyal customers to say a warm farewell and give them free food on their last open day.

Frank Esposito told New York Post.

95-year-old Rita remembered shopping at the store since she was little. She was one of the loyal customers who said goodbye to the beloved shop with others who bought trays of sausage and eggplant Parmesan.

The store was reputed to source its meat from North and South Carolina, but was known to have imported it from New Jersey.

Saying goodbye was difficult for some clients who initially bought properties in the neighborhood because they fell in love with Esposito.

“I get letters from people who bought brownstones in this neighborhood just because of us,” said George Esposito.

People said, “You know, I wasn’t sure if I’d make an investment in the area, I shopped at your store once, and then said I had to buy in this neighborhood, because Esposito’s here.”

Leaving the famous department store was a difficult choice for the family as rising rents in the area were too much for Frank and George – both in their 60s – to consider moving the family business.

Despite the closure, the family legacy may live on for some time. A number of authors have reached out to George seeking to publish popular recipes for his family, according to the news source.

One of the most requested recipes is his rice balls.

Meanwhile, the family is enjoying the weekend with the family again and waiting for what the future holds.