Flatbush staple Errol's Caribbean Delights to close after more than 25 years
The last day will be Saturday, Oct. 24.
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After more than 25 years at the corner of Flatbush Avenue and Hawthorne Street, signs all over the inside and outside of the building announce that Errol's Caribbean Delights is planning to close down.
"To see the sign is kind of like, 'Oh my goodness,'" reacted Renee Rogers, a regular who lives in the area.
Another neighbor, Inga-Lee Black, was particularly upset.
"I read it and I said, 'No! Why?'" Black said.
While the "Little Caribbean" neighborhood has other restaurants with similar food, customers say Errol's stands out.
"I've always come here since even high school," explained Rogers. "My mom especially would always buy the escovitch fish."
"It feels like home," added Black, who is originally from Jamaica. "You can feel the country."
Workers tell News 12 that the owners are planning to retire and spend more time with their grandchildren.
Both are in their 80s, and one of their business partners passed away a little more than a year ago. At this point, they are tired and ready for their next chapter.
"I pray that they are well taken care of, because they fed me many times," said C.J. Mitchell, another regular customer from the area. "Twenty-five years is a good number to say goodbye, but we will definitely miss them."
Back in late 2016 and 2017, Errol's was actually scheduled for eviction, but thanks to pressure from the community, they were able to get a new lease and stay open for almost a decade.
"Flatbush is a West Indian-built community," said Kay, who used to live in the area and came back just to swing by Errol's one more time.
"This is one of the staples," agreed Rogers. "I even know people who get cakes for her for baby showers and stuff so to see that gone, it's like 'Where else are you gonna go now?'"
The last day is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24.
"I'm going to bring them some flowers for sure, and a hand-written card," said Mitchell.
As for Black? "I'm coming here every day," she said. "I was here this morning. I had my Jamaican breakfast, so now I'm having dinner."
