By Judie Jacobson

WEST HARTFORD – A group of community leaders, led by three local businessmen who are active leaders in the Greater Hartford’s Jewish community, has announced its intention to raise money to buy The Crown Market in West Hartford to ensure that the business continues to run without interruption. The 74 year-old market, which specializes in kosher foods, had been slated to close due to economic challenges.

The group of approximately 25 investors is led by philanthropist Henry M. Zachs of Farmington, founder and CEO of Message Center Management;  Alan Lazowski of Hartford, chief executive of LAZ Parking; and Brian Newman of West Hartford, a partner at CohnReznick and past president of the Mandell Jewish Community Center.

The Crown Supermarket may not be shutting its doors after all.

The three men reacted swiftly to the announcement on Tuesday, Feb. 18 by Crown owner Marc Bokoff that he would soon permanently shutter the doors of the popular market.

“We had a conversation with Marc Bokoff, who has been on board and has really worked with us to make this happen – and then we set out to raise money to purchase the market. We have raised significant funds from all kinds of people in the community – people came through beautifully,” Zachs told the Ledger.

The three men then sat down with the Crown’s landlord, Leonard Udolf of Udolf Properties, to renegotiate the lease.  When it looked as if an agreement was nearly at hand, reports Zachs, it was Lazowski who sealed the deal.  “You know what you’ve bought yourself, Lenny?” the affable Lazowski asked Udolf.  “You’ve bought yourself a big hug.” “And you’ve got a deal,” Udolf responded.

According to Zachs, if the purchase goes through, Roger Keroac, who has served as the store’s director of operations for the past 10 years, would take over as manager, reporting directly to Zachs, Lazowski and Newman. In addition, the new owners would also look to modernize the facility to make it more relevant to current shoppers’ needs.

Though the deal is still a work in progress, the news could not be more hopeful for Crown’s loyal – and substantial — cadre of shoppers, for whom The Crown Market has been more than simply a place to purchase groceries, kosher items, convenience foods and catering services in the local area.  When news of the store’s closing spread throughout the Jewish community last week, 1,650 dismayed shoppers quickly added their names to a change.org petition, seeking to keep the store’s doors open.

“We are blessed to have a community that cares so deeply about saving this precious asset, as well as saving valuable jobs.   We are honored to be part of this local community-wide effort, all working together toward the common goal of ensuring that The Crown Market, a fixture in West Hartford for nearly a century, can continue to thrive for future generations,” said Zachs.