Another multigenerational business in Morris County is closing its doors after nearly 60 years of feeding a grateful community.
Brini’s Old World Market in Randolph, a popular spot for quality groceries, freshly prepared meals and holiday catering, announced late last month that it would “unfortunately” close on Oct. 13.
“Unfortunately, due to ongoing economic challenges and the depletion of our capital reserves, we are no longer able to continue our business,” the Brini family posted on Facebook. “Thank you for letting us be a part of your life.”
“After 70 years of cherished memories and meaningful family connections spanning generations, this decision was not made lightly,” the post continued. “For many years, we have shared our joy with you at weddings, birthdays, graduations, and provided support during life’s more difficult times. Your loyalty and love are our greatest reward. is.”
The reaction on social media was swift and heartbreaking.
“This is very sad news,” one fan responded on Facebook. “We have been customers since 1996. Many times your delicious food has been part of many celebrations. My husband is there every Sunday after Mass for a breakfast sandwich. Brini’s You feel at home when you walk into it. It’s a true Randolph icon.”
“This is the end of an era,” Christina Kapsoulas added. “My family enjoys your food and you have catered to me all my life. Every Christmas we get the shrimp and sauce there. Every year. Concert sandwich. Bus trip sandwich. .A grab-and-go meal after leaving my mom’s house and not wanting to cook.This is a Randolph institution.
“Brini has always supported philanthropic efforts on many levels, including her son’s Eagle Scout project in 2012,” Ginger Rosnagel Vukas wrote. “Thank you, Mr. Brini!”
The history of blini goes back decades
Jesse Brini opened Brini’s Prime Meat in Mendham in 1966 and it became a successful family business. His son Peter and Peter’s wife Jeannie eventually took over and expanded the business, moving to a store in Randolph on the Sussex Turnpike in 1992.
Since then, the deli has thrived thanks to its loyal customers, even in the face of increasing competition from chain grocery stores such as Whole Foods, Wegmans, and Uncle Giuseppe’s. But the coronavirus has hit Brini hard, and his recovery has been slow, said Jennifer Brini-Santana, Peter’s daughter.
“It’s all just a piece of the pie,” she said by phone Thursday. “It feels like the economy is starting to recover, but it’s a little too slow.”
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year celebration that began Wednesday, will be the last holiday for families to eat before closing, she said.
Chance of reopening is “slight”
She and other relatives are still figuring out how to reopen, but Peter and Jeannie plan to retire and will need an investment partner to make that happen.
“It’s unlikely,” Brini Santana said. “It will take a miracle to find the right partner. We have talked to several people. But this business is worth it.”
The family has chosen not to follow the path of another longtime local business, Bill’s Luncheonette, in neighboring Chester Township. The 75-year-old restaurant recently raised more than $40,000 through a social media fundraising campaign to help pay for needed repairs.
“A lot of our customers have asked us to do something like that, but we didn’t know how far it would go and we didn’t want to do it on their backs,” Brini Santana said.
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So for now, the last pick-up for your favorite blini treats is Sunday, October 13th.
“The outpouring of feedback from our customers has been incredible,” Brini Santana said. “They come from everywhere.”
“I’m in Texas, but I grew up in Randolph and I talk about Brini’s Italian submarines as if I still live there,” another believer, Erin Lindsay Corrigan, said on Facebook. “You always compare and complain that nothing is better.”
“One of our old customers came all the way from Maine when he heard the news,” Brini Santana said. “That was emotional.”
William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from our local community, subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com
Twitter/X: @wwesthoven
