store
Disappointed shoppers outside Ferrara's Credit: Doug Trattner

Would-be shoppers and people on their lunch breaks hoping to score an Italian beef sandwich were met by locked doors at Ferrara’s Imported Foods (5750 Mayfield Rd.) in Mayfield Heights on Tuesday. Nobody within the small crowd knew anything about the sudden and wholly unexpected closure of the imported foods store that has been in existence since 1959.

But third-generation owner John Ferrara confirmed to media yesterday afternoon that the institution has permanently shuttered, telling Cleveland 19 News, “I’m thankful for the support of the community all those years. But, it was just time. It was the right time for me.”

Brothers Alfred and Joe Ferrara opened Ferrara’s Imported Foods 67 years ago. It was one of the best places to go on Cleveland’s east side to stock up on imported foods and products from Italy, freshly baked breads and pastries, and some of the best sandwiches and Sicilian pizza around.

Subscribe to CLE Bites, Doug Trattner’s weekly food newsletter.

Follow us: Google News | NewsBreak | Reddit | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.