Crown Market, a kosher grocery store, has served West Hartford for more than 70 years, but it will be closing its doors.
Owner Marc Bokoff made the announcement official on Tuesday, citing "significant increases in competition, cost of goods, and one of the worst winters on record in a decade."
The market was established in 1940 by Sam Smith, Sam Sowalsky, and Jack Sloat and it has been known as “The Good Food” store.
In 2009, the third generation of family ownership sold the Crown Market to Bokoff.
"We're aware that hearing this news is as hard as sharing this news," Bokoff said in a statement. "If there were any other option, we would most certainly stay to serve the community we truly love. However, there are moments, passion aside, when you simply can't fight the progress of time. For a family-owned kosher market, with more than a half-dozen national chains in all directions, it's time for us to say goodbye."
There have been several messages on the market’s Facebook page from customers upset about the closing.
“I hope The Crown Market never closes,” Robert J Zinkerman posted.
“Say it isn't so?,” Julie Miles Pinsky wrote.
The store wants to give customers the chance to stockpile items only found at The Crown, so it will remain open until all of its inventory is gone, Bokoff said. All catering commitments through February 28 will be honored.
"On behalf of the entire Crown Market family, thank you...one and all, for your loyal support. I ask that in a reflection of our faith, that we not dwell on this short window of sadness, but on the generations of joy we all experienced from the food that this market has provided," Bokoff said.
