Century-Old Business In Newark Will Close Its Doors

NEWARK, NJ — A local business in Newark is closing its doors after more than a century in the city: Lorczak’s.

Over the past 100 years, the department store has become a fixture at the corner of Ferry and Polk in the Ironbound section of the city. It’s a run that Councilman Michael Silva paid tribute to during a ceremony at City Hall last week.

“We, as a community, are grateful for the memories and your support for our community and our ward,” Silva said, crediting Lorczak’s original owner, Celestino Valente, and subsequent owner, Isabel Cardoso, for being “a pillar supporting our community and our organizations.”

Silva also recognized several other local residents and organizations during last week’s ceremony. According to a news release:

ISABEL MEDEIROS COSTA – “Isabel Medeiros Costa has been one of the great pillars of our community. Through her social activism, she has provided valuable support to residents of our community to whom she devotes endless hours of his time to community activism in health, following Catholic and humanist principles of helping others. Throughout her life, Isabel Costa has received multiple honors, and the Newark City Council is proud to recognize Isabel Costa as a charismatic and determined person, proud of our community.”

RENATO LOPES BAPTISTA – “Renato Lopes Baptista is one of the great pillars of our community, neighborhood, and city. His community involvement has always supported values intrinsic to great leaders. He always knew how to defend positions and act within the Brazilian and Portuguese communities so that these communities were more robust and recognized for their qualities. At the same time, he has always known how to integrate himself into the dynamics of American culture, thus being a reference for his involvement and support. Over the years, he has always proudly known how to be American, Portuguese, and Brazilian with value, determination, and character worthy of those who will always be a landmark and a reference for all. Thank you very much for your dynamism, attachment, and love for the countries we all have in our hearts. What we are today is undoubtedly also due to your outstanding contributions and future vision.”

IRONBOUND SOCCER CLUB – “The Ironbound Soccer Club reached another major milestone when it was selected to join the most iconic youth soccer league in the United States, MLS NEXT. The work and dedication of its leaders, directors, coaches, and other members in supporting our young people have been tireless. This milestone represents joy and responsibility. There are hundreds of young people who, through Ironbound Soccer Club, keep alive their dream of playing soccer.”

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