Adored Deli In Red Bank, NJ Will Permanently Close After 121 Years In Business

This one stings.

Losing any business is tough but when it is one that has been operating for more than a century, my heart breaks.

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According to ABC7NY.com, Citarella's Meats & Deli will be closing their doors for good this week after being in business for over 121 years!

Saturday, July 9th will be the deli's last day in business.

"We're very sad, honestly wish we could do it again for another 120 years," said current owner and operator, Andrew Citarella according to ABC7NY.com.

Andrew is the fourth generation of his family to run things at Citarella's Meats & Deli. It started with Andrew's great grandfather who was also named Andrew Citarella.

Andrew will be focusing more on family moving forward but is so grateful for all of the extended family - aka his customers - who made his success possible.

"We made sure we treated the customers well, and made sure we carried quality products," Citarella said. "We put a lot of pride in it. We've had some very loyal customers."

No surprise here but Red Bank residents are heartbroken. Who wouldn't be? If they were open for 121 years, clearly they had a loyal clientele.

"Very sad. I've been coming since 1979, I've known Ralph since school," said Red Bank resident Dave Adams according to ABC7NY.com. "It will be missed."

 

"When you just need somebody and always cooking instructions for my Christmas dinner, we shared recipes, they're just phenomenal people," said Susan, a regular customer at Citarella's.