All in One Deli Mart, better known to just about everyone in Brooklyn Heights as Peas N’ Pickles, has flipped its “closed” sign for good. After more than 30 years on the corner of Henry Street and Pineapple Walk, the family-run market shut its doors this week, drawing a steady stream of regulars over the weekend who came to stock up, say goodbye, and take one last look at what had long felt like the neighborhood pantry.
Owner Minki Lee and his family cited rising costs, higher property taxes, and increased rent after the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons they could no longer keep the business going. They thanked customers for decades of loyalty, said they have no immediate plans for the space, and are working to help some employees find other jobs. One employee has already landed at Han’s Market on Clark Street, according to the Brooklyn Eagle. Public records list “All In One Deli Mart Inc” at 79 Henry Street, confirming the market’s long-running presence on Pineapple Walk, per the New York State Department of Health. Han’s Market is listed at 51 Clark Street, according to NYBizDB.
A Small Strip Facing Bigger Pressures
The market sits on Pineapple Walk, a brick-lined run of storefronts whose parcels are controlled by the Whitman Owner Corp., the co-op at 75 Henry Street. That retail strip has drawn developer interest over the years, and neighbors say that kind of pressure, combined with the rising costs of doing business, has made it tougher for independent family-owned shops to hang on. The parcel’s recent history and the co-op’s role are detailed by The Real Deal.
Neighbors Say It Felt Like Home
For longtime customers, the closure lands like a gut punch. Neighbor Debbie Prince said of losing the store she used every day, “I might cry,” and another shopper compared the community vibe inside to being “like ‘Cheers,’” according to the Brooklyn Eagle. Residents also worry that another dark storefront on Pineapple Walk means less foot traffic, which makes life even harder for the merchants who remain.
What’s Next for the Corner
With no new tenant announced and no redevelopment plans on the table, neighbors say they will be keeping a close eye on who moves into the space and whether the next business keeps the small-store character they have fought to preserve. For now, Henry and Pineapple Walk is noticeably quieter, and regulars say it is the everyday convenience, familiar faces, and human touch at Peas N’ Pickles that they will miss most.
