Zeytinia Market Closes Shop Quickly

Approaching the darkened doors of Zeytinia Gourmet Market, one wonders why there wasn't more notice.

There's evidence of past human activity, but certainly none to be seen there these days. No explanation was ever offered, through window signs or otherwise, as to why the local market closed. The mystery is similar to the curious closing of the Cannondale coffeeshop earlier this year.

Bottles filled with olives, peppers, and oils stand forlornly, collecting dust.  Empty baskets hang from the ceiling. At some tables it looks like someone got up and forgot to push in their chair.

Like all Zeytinia Gourmet Markets, Wilton's Danbury Road location was franchised. And like other locations in Englewood, New Jersey and Westchester, NY earlier this year, it is no longer in operation.

"I heard about this, but I don't know the reason. I have no idea," said Hamad, the general manager for Zeytinia's in Atlantic City, NJ. Hamad declined to give his last name, saying he wasn't at liberty to comment further.

Urstadt Biddle Properties posted an advertisement in the window for retail space. But aside from that, there aren't any readily visible clues to the property's future.

A neighor of the former Zeytinia location, who declined to be named, said she had heard the market was being put under new management. She could not confirm if the location was to remain under the franchised name or would be ultimately changing its appearance and ownership.

The company website offers no clues and multiple messages to the company went unreturned. Wilton's town clerk, meanwhile, was not immediately available for comment on the matter.

But according to the company's website, which is still operational: "Visitors will find hand-crafted artisan breads, focaccia, sourdough, crusty baguettes, cookies, muffins and much more."

Not in Wilton they won't.