Zlaket's Market in Garden Grove to close after 87 years

GARDEN GROVE, Calif. (KABC) -- Zlaket's Market, Garden Grove's oldest family-owned-and-operated business, is closing on Wednesday after nearly nine decades.

For his entire life, 72-year-old Leo Zlaket has called the market his home. He has spent countless hours grinding meat, taking orders and making sandwiches at the shop.

"I'm a little older and just decided to hang it up. It's time," said Zlaket.

Zlaket's father, Leo Sr., opened the market 87 years ago on Garden Grove's now historic Main Street.

The family lived in the apartment above the store. Since then, generations of Zlakets and their spouses have kept the place running.

"This market has been our passion. It's been our family's life. It's been our legacy," said store owner Virginia Zlaket.

It's a legacy that has survived the Great Depression, an economic downturn, and an influx of big box stores moving in across the street.

"Our street here doesn't have a lot of foot traffic that we had in years past, so that's made it a little more tough," said David Zlaket, Leo Zlaket's son.

Still, it has remained a staple in the community. Customers keep coming back for the fresh meat, handmade sandwiches, and to get called by their first name.

"It's kind of like you're losing a member of the family to a degree and that's very sad," said customer Gaston Castellanos of Garden Grove.

The Zlakets say this is a bittersweet decision because they're ready to relax, but not quite ready to say goodbye to this "home."

"I'm going to miss you guys. Ninety percent of them are more than customers, they're friends," said Leo Zlaket.