PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Say goodbye to the Haifa Market.
After more than four decades in business, the popular Prospect Heights market closed its Flatbush Avenue storefront on Saturday, the owners announced to customers over the weekend.
“After 45 years of serving this wonderful community, we will be closing our doors for the last time August 8,” reads a sign posted on the sidewalk outside the store near the corner of St. Marks Avenue. “We appreciate all your love and support.”
The busy grocery store was owned and operated by the Awad family, who lost their brother, 46-year-old Bassam Awad, in a massive fire in January that erupted at a neighboring hardware store, destroying it along with three apartments above which is also where the family lived.
In the aftermath of the blaze, the Haifa Market closed for about a month, reopening for business in late February.
It’s unclear what caused the final closing, but it appears to be permanent. A commercial real estate listing spotted by readers of local message board Brooklynian.com is asking for $10,000 a month for the 1,200-square-foot market space.
The market was not available for immediate comment.
