Brooklyn’s beloved grocery, bar, and eatery Mekelburg’s, located at 319 Kent Avenue in Williamsburg, will be closing permanently on January 1, 2026, according to an announcement on Instagram and reports from local media.
In a touching statement posted to Instagram, the Mekelburg’s team reflected on their ten-year run, thanking loyal patrons and inviting them for a final visit. They noted that what began “in 2015 in Clinton Hill” is coming to a close.
A Local Favorite’s Final Bow
First opening in Clinton Hill in 2015 and later expanding to Williamsburg in 2022, Mekelburg’s built a reputation for craft beers, specialty sandwiches, babka, and neighborhood events like trivia nights. It became a popular gathering space for both residents and visitors.
Recent news confirms that the Williamsburg branch will close right after New Year’s Eve (January 1), marking the end of about ten years of service spanning Clinton Hill and the Domino Park area.
Closure for Guevara’s as Well
Also shutting down is Guevara’s, the vegan café owned by Alicia Guevara, wife of co-founder Daniel Mekelburg, with both businesses ending on the same date per the Instagram post.
Community Reflections
Reactions online from the neighborhood reflect both sadness and nostalgia, with long-standing customers reminiscing in local Reddit conversations about Mekelburg’s unique role in Williamsburg’s food scene.
Reason for Closure Unclear
No official explanation has been provided in the Instagram announcement or media coverage regarding the reasons behind the closure, leaving speculation about rising costs, lease issues, or other business pressures in New York City.
If you’d like to express your support, there’s still time to visit Mekelburg’s and Guevara’s to thank them for their decade of service to Brooklyn.
