Kohn’s Kosher Meat and Deli, the only free-standing full-service kosher grocery in St. Louis, has closed its doors. A note released on Tuesday, July 9, by the Vaad Hoeir of St. Louis, which provides kosher certification, said the deli restaurant and grocery at 10405 Old Olive Street Road closed last week.
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“The Vaad is acutely aware of the need in St. Louis for fresh kosher meat, kosher catering and a kosher restaurant,” the Vaad wrote in a letter that was posted on Kohn’s website. “Individuals are working to make all of that available, perhaps by reopening Kohn’s, and the Vaad has done everything to support these efforts. However, numerous practical and legal issues need to be sorted through by the parties involved. We are hopeful that we will be able to announce good news early next week.”
In November 2022, Kohn’s was bought for an undisclosed amount by two Orthodox businessmen on the East Coast from Lenny Kohn and his sister, Rosemary Cooper. The two had taken over the business from their parents, Bobbi and Simon Kohn, who opened the grocery and deli in 1963.
Yehuda Kestenbaum, one of Kohn’s current owners, as well as Rabbi Zvi Zuravin, executive director of the Vaad, did not return calls to the Jewish Light as of press time.