Brooklyn Italian Food Landmark Closes After Nearly 56 Years

After over five decades of serving the Bensonhurst community, Bari Pork Store will close its doors for good on Saturday, June 29. The shop, a beloved local staple since 1969, has been renowned for its high-quality meats and traditional Italian delicacies.

Co-owner George Firrantello expressed deep sadness about the closure, noting, “It feels like I’m losing a big part of my life.” Despite his efforts to keep it open—such as a generous rent reduction from the landlord—financial challenges proved insurmountable. “Running the store has just gotten more expensive, from rent to utilities and taxes,” he explained.

The store’s decline reflects a broader shift in the neighborhood, traditionally filled with Italian-American businesses and clientele. Firrantello mentioned that many customers are devastated, but emphasized, “We didn’t leave them — they left us,” pointing to the changing demographics of Bensonhurst.

Similar closures have hit other historic landmarks. This month, SAS Italian Records, another longstanding business nearby, also shut down after 58 years. Nationwide, older Italian pork stores and butchers—like Carroll Gardens’ G. Esposito and Sons (100 years in operation) and Brooklyn’s Mario’s Butcher Store—have shuttered, citing low customer traffic and rising costs.

Firrantello reflected on the cultural significance of these establishments: “Many of the younger generations aren’t following in their ancestors’ footsteps, which is heartbreaking. These stores aren’t just places to buy food—they are cultural icons.”

The shop was famous for its fresh mozzarella and signature sausages, recipes cherished by the community—including some well-known figures like actors Steve Schirripa and the late Tony Sirico, who frequented Bari. Firrantello intends to carry the memories of this legacy with him, though he has no plans for a major farewell. “I just want to walk away and take a picture with my partner.”

As the neighborhood bids farewell to Bari Pork Store, many recognize that the loss signifies more than just a business closing—it’s the end of an era for local culture and tradition in Brooklyn’s Italian-American community.