CARROLL GARDENS — Dozens of businesses line Court Street in Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens but only a few have stood the test of time.
From bakers to wine sellers and butchers, these Brooklyn businesses have stayed open for decades and continue to serve residents and longtime customers in the neighborhood.
George Esposito, 54, who manages G. Esposito & Sons at 357 Court St., said his grandfather, Giovanni, opened the butcher shop at Columbia and Union streets in 1922 before relocating to Court Street in 1977, where it’s remained since.
While G. Esposito has been lauded for its meats, sandwiches and prepared foods like rice balls — all of which are made in-house — keeping it up is hard work, Esposito said.
“You’ve got to be involved for a business to be successful,” he said. “This is why we are who we are.”
Here’s a roundup of decades-old businesses on Court Street.
► Scotto’s Wine Cellar, 318 Court St.
In less than a week, Scotto’s Wine Cellar will celebrate its 81st anniversary after opening on Feb. 9, 1934, its owner James Benedetto said.
Benedetto bought the wine and liquor store in 1989 but it was previously owned by the Scotto family, which originally opened the shop in 1909 near the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. It closed but later reopened at the Court Street space.
Benedetto, 56, who lives in Bay Ridge, is hoping to plan something special for the anniversary to “bring it to everybody’s attention,” he said.
► G. Esposito & Sons, 357 Court St.
The Carroll Gardens butcher shop has been lauded in the neighborhood for its store-made sausages, salami, sandwiches and cooked food.
The store is currently run by brothers George and John Esposito, the third generation in the family to take over the shop.
“We make everything here,” George Esposito, 54, said.
► Marrieta’s, 392 Court St.
Marietta’s has been located at 392 Court St. since 1950 and sells clothes for men, women and children.
The shop carries “just a little bit of everything,” Matt Egan, who runs the store with his grand-uncle Joe Chirico told DNAinfo New York last fall, including $9 “Brooklyn” T-shirts, underwear, nightgowns, children’s outfits and ties.
► Sam’s Restaurant, 238 Court St.
Some say Sam’s Restaurant, founded in 1930 by the Migliaccio family, is the oldest restaurant in Cobble Hill.
The Italian restaurant’s old-school storefront is hard to miss with words like "Steak," "Chops” and "Pizza" covering the windows.
► Staubitz Market, 222 Court St.
The old-fashioned Cobble Hill meat shop at Warren Street was established in 1917 and is currently owned by John McFadden and his son John MacFadden Jr., according to the older McFadden and the store’s website.
Staubitz’s sells poultry, beef, lamb and pork as well as cheese, charcuterie, oils, sauces and stock.
► Caputo’s Bake Shop, 329 Court St.
The bakery opened in 1904 in Brooklyn but moved to 329 Court St. years later, said manager James Caputo, whose great-grandfather started the shop after moving from Sicily.
The popular bake shop makes dozens of types of bread, cookies and pastries.
► Caputo’s Fine Foods, 460 Court St.
The store, unrelated to the bake shop of the same name, opened in 1973 and sells fresh and dried pastas, oils, sauces, meats, cheese and olives.
Frank Caputo told DNAinfo last year that Caputo’s is well known for its fresh mozzarella, which is made daily using a recipe he learned from his father, Giuseppe.
► Court Pastry Shop, 298 Court St.
The city’s official guide calls Court Pastry Shop a “neighborhood institution” that’s famous for its traditional Italian pastries like Sfingi and Zeppole. The shop opened in 1948.
Did we miss any of your favorite places? Let us know in the comments below or tweet to @nkvenugopal.
