Binghamton Residents Concerned About Future of Iconic Store

A family-owned business that has been a fixture in a Binghamton neighborhood for the past 75 years is closed and some long-time customers are worried it won't reopen.

Cavanaugh's Grocery & Deli at 69 Leroy Street on the city's West Side has been idle for a few weeks.

A sign in the door indicated the store was "closed for summer break through July 7th." The date then was changed to July 14 but the place remains dark.

People in the neighborhood have been waiting and hoping to see operations resume.

Robert Cavanaugh II, a Binghamton city councilman who has been operating the family business in recent years, is uncertain about what will happen with the store.

Cavanaugh told WNBF News he's been on vacation and discussing plans for the place "with a few different people."

Cavanaugh said the store has rarely been closed for more than a day at a time over the past 75 years.

Cavanaugh said business traditionally slows at this time of year when Binghamton University students are on break. He said he decided to take a "summer hiatus" and reassess things. The store's beer license expired on June 30 and hasn't been renewed.

Cavanaugh's Grocery & Deli dates back to an era when many Broome County communities had similar independent neighborhood stores. Most of those businesses closed years ago.

At this point, it's uncertain whether someone may be interested in maintaining what has been a West Side tradition.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.