Petty's Meat Market in Suntree to close in January; Babcock to remain open with new owners

Suzy Fleming Leonard | Florida Today

Show Caption Hide Caption VIDEO: Petty's Suntree owner thanks customers as store closing nears Petty's Meat Market stores in Suntree and on Babcock Street are being sold; the new owners will close the Suntree store

After more than four decades in Brevard County, the Pettigrews are selling both their Petty's Meat Market locations.

The 44-year-old Babcock Street location will remain open under new ownership, while the Wickham Road store, a part of Suntree for 24 years, will close sometime in January.

The stores have earned a reputation for high-quality meats, catering services, gourmet cheeses, prepared meals, wine tastings and free beer while you shop.

Leigh Pettigrew, owner of the Suntree store, said Wednesday the reality of the sale is just starting to sink in.

She and her brother, Jay, who owns the Babcock Street store, posted a letter to customers on the Petty's Facebook page Tuesday after meeting with their employees.

"As most of our dear friends, family , and co-workers know, both stores have been for sale," the letter read. "They were for sale for no other reason than after 44 and 24 years respectively, my brother and I have decided that as proud, honored, blessed and privileged we have felt serving our customers and community, we wanted to have more time with our family and friends."

The Suntree Petty's did a steady business late Wednesday morning, with people stopping buy to pick up prepared meals, meat and gourmet cheeses. Pettigrew said she and her brother put the businesses up for sale this summer with the hope that someone would buy both and keep them open.

She wouldn't identify the buyer or sales price, but said the sale is expected to go through on Dec. 27, she said. The new owner plans to move some of the Suntree operation to Babcock, and will keep that store open with the Petty's name. The Suntree location will be used for a non-food related business, Pettigrew said.

Petty's in Longwood will continue to be owned and operated by sister Allyson Hidalgo. It just celebrated its 40th anniversary.

The late Rosemary and Jerry Pettigrew, along with Allyson and Jay, opened the Babcock store because they couldn't find good quality meat in Brevard County.

Leigh Pettigrew, who was a student at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy at the time, remembers making cheese balls after school.

"One day when it wasn't very busy, my dad said, 'I'm going to put FREE BEER on the sign,' and the rest is history," Pettigrew said.

In addition to a wine-tasting bar, which has become an afternoon gathering place for many in Suntree, Petty's has a beer tap and plastic cups. Age-appropriate shoppers are welcome to help themselves as they wait for an order or peruse the shelves.

Pettigrew said she'll miss her customers and her employees, some of whom have been with the store more than 20 years. A few of Petty's Suntree's 21 staff members will go to the Babcock store. Some will retire. She hopes to help the others find new jobs.

Joan Berrios of Suntree said she's been a Petty's customer at both locations for 40 years.

"So sorry they are closing," she said. "From the wines to the cheeses to the prepared foods that you could just pop in the oven in the evening, the place is a gem. We are going to miss them so much. Their meats and fish and customer service have always been above expectations."

Rita Moreno, also of Suntree agreed.

"It's a pleasure to have this charming boutique market right down the street," she said. "I'll miss this landmark, that I am sure of."

Petty's Suntree will remain open until mid-January, and as that date nears, Pettigrew would like to put one rumor to rest: The Fresh Market that opened nearby four years ago had nothing to do with the sale of the store. Petty's customers remained Petty's customers.

"It's solely just because my brother and I wanted to have more time with our family and friends," she said. "I put everything I have into (this store), and a lot of my employees did, too."

While Pettigrew said her brother is retiring, she's still up in the air about what to do next.

"I have absolutely no clue," she said.

For now, she's concentrating on the holidays, a busy time at the store, especially for catering.

"All that will be just as seamless as ever," she said. "We decided we'll make it the most fun Christmas we've ever had here."

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