The Story Behind "Last Slice of Brooklyn"

A Song Inspired by the Closing of Bari Pork Store

The news hit hard for many this week: Bari Pork Store, a Bensonhurst landmark and cherished Italian-American deli, will close its doors for good after 55 years of serving the community. For generations, the store was more than just a place to buy fresh sausage or imported ingredients—it was a neighborhood cornerstone, a symbol of tradition, and a reminder of Brooklyn's rich cultural fabric.

That announcement sparked the creation of a new song, Last Slice of Brooklyn, a melancholic ballad written to honor the people, places, and memories slowly disappearing from the city’s evolving landscape.

The Inspiration

The closing of Bari Pork Store represents more than the loss of a family business. It reflects a broader story seen in many urban neighborhoods—the gradual fading of longstanding, immigrant-rooted establishments that once defined the character of entire communities. The song draws directly from that sentiment, weaving together imagery of flickering neon lights, the smell of fennel, and echoes of laughter that used to fill the aisles.

The title, Last Slice of Brooklyn, serves as both a tribute and a lament. It represents the final piece of something once whole, something still sweet but now out of reach.

Writing the Song

The lyrics of the song tell a story familiar to many:

• Hands that built a space from the ground up
• Generations gathering around counters and shelves
• The slow, quiet erosion of that world as modern pressures—rising costs, changing demographics, fading foot traffic—push legacy businesses out

The song's chorus captures the heartache and frustration expressed by many in the community:
“We didn’t leave you—you left us. Dreams turned to dust in the city's rush…”

Musical Approach

Musically, Last Slice of Brooklyn draws from the tradition of Italian ballads, blending piano, brushed drums, and mournful male vocals to create a sound that feels both timeless and deeply rooted. The arrangement is intentionally sparse, allowing the emotion of the lyrics to carry through without distraction. Small details in the production—like subtle reverb and layered vocal harmonies—add a haunting sense of space, echoing the emptiness left behind when the shop closes.

A Song for More Than One Block

While inspired by Bari Pork Store specifically, the song resonates with countless other neighborhoods experiencing similar losses. From Carroll Gardens to the North End, small family-run shops, bakeries, and butcher counters that once defined local culture are vanishing, leaving behind faded signs, quiet storefronts, and a lingering sense of nostalgia.

Listen to the Song

Last Slice of Brooklyn is now available to stream. It stands as a tribute to the past, a reflection on the present, and a quiet reminder of what’s worth holding onto.

🎧 Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/LastSliceofBrooklyn