Last Meatpacker Closes in Manhattan's Meatpacking District

J.T. Jobbagy, Inc., one of the last remaining meatpackers in Manhattan's historic Meatpacking District, is closing its doors as part of a city redevelopment plan. The district, once a bustling hub of over 200 slaughterhouses and packing plants, has transformed over decades into a neighborhood known for high-end boutiques and restaurants. John Jobbagy, whose family business has operated in the area for over 125 years, accepted an early lease termination to make way for new housing development. This marks the end of an era for the neighborhood, which has been shifting away from its industrial roots since the 1980s. The district's evolution includes notable changes such as the conversion of old docks into recreation areas and the establishment of the High Line park. Despite the changes, some retailers maintain elements of the area's past with signs from former meatpacking businesses.