The scent of traditional Italian sausage and the taste of homemade mozzarella that once brought customers to the Bari Pork Store will soon be gone from Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. After operating for over 50 years, the family-run store is closing due to rising costs and economic inflation. According to a report by ABC7NY, co-owners Tony Turrigiano and George Firrantello have announced the decision to close.
Amid a changing neighborhood and a decline in customers, Bari Pork Store has experienced difficulties maintaining its operations. "Let's put it this way - our people who eat this food are not around. They moved out of the neighborhood," Turrigiano explained to ABC7NY. In an interview, customer Donna Gifford described the shop as "like my kitchen -- it's an extension of my kitchen."
PIX11's coverage highlighted the economic hardships that led to this tough decision. "Everything is going up, it’s going up like crazy, and every time we order something, it goes up," Turrigiano lamented. Despite a long history of providing quality meats and serving the community, maintaining operations has become financially unsustainable. "More bills than what we’re taking home and we can’t continue like this—it’s impossible," Turrigiano added.
The 2023 Bensonhurst Commercial District Needs Assessment Report noted that 38% of local merchants experienced a decline in business, while 19% reported improvement and 26% saw no change. As the store concludes operations on June 30, residents have commented on the development. One local told PIX11, "My husband mostly shopped in there, and good food. It’s sad they’re going out, the neighborhood is changing," reflecting individual responses to the closure.
