Over at the Essex Street Market this afternoon, the staff of Jeffrey’s Meats appears to be preparing for a “move out.” Odds-and-ends are being removed from Jeffrey’s office — boxes are being packed. When asked whether the business was closing, one employee said, “yes.”
Last week, it came to light that Jeffrey Ruhalter, a fourth generation butcher, was in financial trouble. News of a 29% rent increase due the beginning of this month was just the latest blow.
A few moments ago, Danny McNeill, Jeffrey’s business manager, told us via email:
I’m still in the middle of defining what “closing” is going to mean. I don’t mean to be cryptic but that’s the best I can do. I will definitively know our position on Monday. I just met with EDC and it was a very “positive” meeting so I now see good opportunities in the near future.
Jeffrey’s Meats has been a fixture in the Essex Street Market since the facility opened in 1940. We have a call into Jeffrey’s landlord, the NYC Economic Development Corp., for more information. We’ll be following this one all weekend.
