Kotsch’s Market exits scene after 69 years.

69-Year-Old Kotsch’s Market Closes Its Doors in Whitehall Township

After 69 years in business, Kotsch’s Market in Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, has closed its doors. The closure was attributed to the business’s inability to compete with larger stores on pricing. The family-operated market, which was founded in 1954 by Ernest Kotsch Sr., saw its final items auctioned off on Monday.

Michael Kotsch, the owner and operator of Kotsch’s Market, expressed his nostalgic attachment to the business. Having worked in the family stores since the age of 12, Kotsch admitted that it was difficult to let go of something he had dedicated his entire life to. However, he acknowledged that the time had come for the business to end.

The auction held on Monday featured a wide range of items, both inside and outside the market. From frying pans to deli slicers, the entire inventory had to be sold off. Despite the bittersweet decision, Kotsch’s wife, Melissa Brunst-Kotsch, expressed her appreciation for their long-time employees and the support they provided throughout the years.

Customers of Kotsch’s Market also shared their sadness at the closure. James Rankel, a longtime customer, saw the closure as a representation of the struggle faced by small, family-owned businesses in the face of larger stores. Rankel stated that it was challenging for smaller stores to compete on pricing, ultimately leading to their downfall.

The Kotsch family has been an integral part of their community for many years, providing high-quality meat cuts and grocery items to their loyal customers. Many customers have expressed their gratitude for the personalized service and familiarity that Kotsch’s Market offered. With its closure, they mourned the loss of not just a place to buy food, but a cherished establishment.

As for Michael Kotsch, he is uncertain about his future plans now that the business has closed. He and his customers alike feel a sense of loss as they bid farewell to a beloved local market that had become a central part of their lives.