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Gentile’s Fine Foods, the family-run market that’s fed Upper East Siders for generations, has closed.
The store, at 1118 Madison Avenue between 83rd and 84th streets, shut its doors as of Thursday, October 22, according to a flyer posted in its window and shared with East Side Feed by the Madison Avenue Business Improvement District. “With heavy hearts, we have made the difficult decision to close Gentile’s Fine Foods after 100 years on Madison Avenue,” the notice reads.
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The family wrote that the decision followed the unexpected death of Anthony “Tony” Gentile, whom they described as a leader, brother, father and friend. Gentile died on April 11 surrounded by his family, according to his obituary. He was 75. The obituary says he took over the market from his father and his grandfather, Antonio, and paid tribute to his loyal staff, some of whom had worked there for more than 50 years.In the flyer, the family noted that Gentile’s had been part of the Madison Avenue community since 1927, serving families whose children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren have shopped there. They thanked customers for their friendship, loyalty and support over the years.
“The Madison Avenue BID is deeply saddened by the passing of Anthony Gentile, followed last week by the closure of Gentile’s Fine Foods,” BID President Matt Bauer said in a statement to East Side Feed. “Gentile’s has been a family-owned Madison Avenue institution for a century, and embodied the sense of service and community which distinguishes the Upper East Side. We thank the Gentile family and their longstanding staff for decades of keeping the community well fed and for always making us feel welcome and cared for.”
Avenue Magazine featured Gentile’s in a 2020 story on Madison Avenue’s longtime businesses. The magazine reported that the store, founded by an immigrant from Salerno, had moved up and down the avenue over the years. It was known for its roasted chicken and its veal-and-pork meatballs, both made from family recipes, and its fruit was individually wrapped. Staffers would even pick up items from other neighborhood shops, like a loaf from Eli Zabar’s E.A.T., to include in customers’ delivery orders. The feature also highlighted Harry Solomon, who had worked at the market for 50 years.
On Reddit, neighbors mourned the news. One user praised the store’s sandwiches, prepared foods and customer service, calling it expensive but delicious. Another lamented the loss of their favorite tuna salad.
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