Bari Pork Store, a staple for 55 years in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, is set to close its doors on June 29. Co-owner George Firrantello expressed deep sorrow over the closure, citing a dramatic decrease in customers and the rising costs of running the business as key factors. The changing demographics in the neighborhood have diminished the once-thriving Italian-American community it served. Despite attempts to reduce expenses and even sell the business, Firrantello indicated that the significant complexities of operating the store made continuation impossible, reflecting a broader trend affecting traditional Italian markets in the area.
"It feels like I'm losing a big part of my life," co-owner George Firrantello told The Post of the impending closure of the beloved shop, which first opened in 1969 on 18th Avenue.
"These days, there's just not enough customers coming into the place," Firantello said of his exit after running Bari for the past 26 years alongside partner Tony Turrigiano, the latter putting in 37 years of pork-store service.
"Running the store has just gotten more expensive, between the rent, electricity, insurance, payroll tax, and so on and so forth," he said.
"But it still would have been too high," said Firrantello. "In my head, I'm saying, 'How much could you reduce it? $500? What would $500 do for me?'"
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