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Mastellone Italian Deli Closes After Decades of Service

 Mastellone Italian Deli will close it's doors, July 31, after decades of service.
Mastellone Italian Deli
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CARROLL GARDENS — Mastellone, a Court Street Italian deli, is closing its doors on Wednesday after years of serving a once-thriving Italian-American population in Carroll Gardens, owners say.

The deli, located at 303 Court St., was sold a few weeks ago after “business dropped,” said James Raffaele, 43, one of Mastellone’s owners.

Mastellone has been in existence since the 1920s, said Raffaele, who recalls working at the store even as a child.

Carroll Gardens, which was once a hub for Brooklyn’s Italian-American community, has seen their numbers dwindle over the years – one of the reasons the deli is closing, said Raffaele.

“We cater to the Italians,” he said. “We’ve done that forever.”

Raffaele, who is now lives in Bensonhurst after moving from Carroll Gardens, said he has no plans for the future just yet.

“Take it as it comes,” he said.

The Pacific Green Gourmet Food, another local grocery shop at 151 Court St., has reportedly purchased the Italian deli, Carroll Gardens Patch reported.

Raffaele would not comment on the deli’s buyer but did confirm that it would be a food store.

Pacific Green has been fighting to save their Court Street space after national retailer J. Crew took over their lease.

Billy Solmaz, manager of Pacific Green, declined to comment.

“It’s a shame they’re closing,” said Frankie Polemeni, 79, who was born in the neighborhood. “They got nice food here.”

Susan Houston, 48, who grew up and still lives in Carroll Gardens, said she and her 81-year-old mother have been shopping at the deli for years.

They would often visit Mastellone for their fresh Italian bread, cold-cut meats and homemade sauces.

“The good stuff,” she said.