EDGEWATER — The neon lights outside Holzkopf's Meat Market that for 10 years illuminated a path to fresh-cut bacon and skirt steaks was suddenly turned off this week.
The butcher shop at 6155 N. Broadway was a favorite among Far North Side carnivores, but on Tuesday evening the store posted a message on the company's Facebook page announcing it had closed forever.
"It was a pleasure to serve the Edgewater community for the past 10 years," said the message, signed by owner Mark Holzkopf and two other employees. "We want to thank all of our loyal customers for your support and patronage for so many years."
The same message was posted on the store's front door Wednesday and repeated on the shop's voicemail.
The Facebook statement did not include a reason for the closure, however, in replying to bereaved customers who commented on the announcement, the meat market said it had been a "tough decision."
Holzkopf did not respond to requests for comment.
The store closed nearly a year after it bounced back from water damage it sustained after a fire that destroyed the adjacent former Pumping Co. bar.
The independent butcher is not the first in the area to close in recent years.
In August 2015, longtime shop Muller Meats on Peterson Avenue also shut its doors.
Like owner Erv Muller, Holzkopf butcher Matt Pesola is moving on to continue his craft at the Mariano's meat counter in Northbrook, he said online.
(Photos by DNAinfo/Linze Rice)
