Indelicato's Meat Market, run by four generations of family in Auburn for more than 100 years, has quietly and permanently closed its doors.
Bryan Indelicato, market manager and a member of the family that has owned the butcher shop since the early 20th century, said Saturday was the last day for the market, which for much of its long history has operated in a small store at 35 Columbus St.
Several factors were involved in the decision to close, but the cost of doing business simply became too much, with the COVID-19 pandemic playing a role as well, Bryan said. The business had been closed for a couple weeks recently. Indelicato's had also done some curbside service during the pandemic.
"It's a complicated thing," Bryan said in an interview Friday. "It's unfortunate, but I do think that it is time to do what we're doing."
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Bryan's great-grandfather Ottavio Indelicato opened a small shop around 1905 on South Division Street, which later became Columbus Street. Originally, Indelicato's was located at the intersection with LaFayette Place where a vacant lot now sits.
An Ormie King Legends of Auburn column on the store published in 2013 described Ottavio's original shop like this: "Ottavio had on that site a small freezer and a refrigerator, a chopping block, a cash register and himself."
Ottavio Indelicato
The business eventually moved to its current location not far from the original site.
Bryan said Indelicato's is currently co-owned by his father, Lee, and uncle, Sam Jr. Bryan said he started working there around 1991. He did go to college, but he was back at the market working whenever he was off on break.
There aren't many independently owned and operated meat markets anymore, Bryan said, especially one like Indelicato's that sold such a wide variety of products.
According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics, the number of meat markets with fewer than 20 employees dropped from 5,626 nationwide in 2000 to 4,325 as of 2017, the most recent year for which data is available.
Sam Indelicato takes a moment after becoming overcome with emotion while preparing the last of the ground beef as the 115-year-old family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market in Auburn is closing its doors.
Bryan said his family dedicated decades of blood, sweat and tears into the business, which makes the decision to shut down difficult.
"We really proudly served the community for four generations," he said. "We really took pride in it. It was 110% every day. We really gave it everything we had. We feel sad to go but it is what it is at this point."
Gallery: Iconic Indelicato's Meat Market closes after 115 years serving the the community in Auburn
Indelicato's Meat Market owners, from left, Sam, left, Lee, center, and his son Bryan Indelicato pose in front of their store in Auburn. After 115 years, the family-owned business is closing. Check Ë®¹ûÅÉAV and on Sunday for a full story and more photos from one of the store's final days.
Sam Indelicato takes a moment after becoming overcome with emotion while preparing the last of the ground beef as the 115-year-old family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market in Auburn is closing its doors.
Bryan Indelicato bags up the last of the Italian sausage as the 115-year-old family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market is closing its doors due to the coronavirus pandemic in Auburn.
Bryan Indelicato bags up the last of the Italian sausage with his uncle, Sam, center, and father, Lee, as the 115-year-old family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market is closing its doors due to the coronavirus pandemic in Auburn.
Bryan Indelicato bags up an order with his uncle, Sam, right, on the last day of operation for the 115-year-old family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market due to the coronavirus pandemic in Auburn.
Family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market is closing after 115 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market is closing after 115 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market is closing after 115 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market is closing after 115 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market is closing after 115 years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A photo of Sam Indelicato and his nephew, Bryan, is a keepsake of better times as the family-owned 115-year-old Indelicato's Meat Market closes its doors due to the coronavirus pandemic in Auburn.
Bryan Indelicato walks into the cooler while cleaning out the store as Indelicato's Meat Market closes its doors after 115 years serving the community due to the coronavirus pandemic in Auburn.
Customers drop off bottles of wine as word circulates that the 115-year-old family-owned Indelicato's Meat Maket is closing due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lee Indelicato, left, gives a fist bump to longtime customer Tony Mentillo after Mentillo stopped by with a bottle of wine upon hearing that the 115-year-old family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market is closing due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Lee Indelicato bags up an order of Italian sausage during the last day of operation of the 115-year-old family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Sam Indelicato reflects on the family business on the last day of operation for the 115-year-old Indelicato's Meat Market due to rising expenses and the coronavirus pandemic.
Lee Indelicato looks over a newspaper article about his 115-year-old family-owned business on the last day of operation for Indelicato's Meat Market due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Bryan Indelicato talks with customers who stopped by upon hearing that the 115-year-old family-owned Indelicato's Meat Market is closing due to rising costs and the coronavirus pandemic.
Indelicato's Meat Market is closing after 115 years serving the community due to rising costs and the coronavirus pandemic in Auburn.
A customer finds the front door locked as Indelicato's Meat Market closes after 115 years serving the community due to rising costs and the coronavirus pandemic In Auburn.
Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau.
Kelly Rocheleau
Education, court and crime reporter
