Located for over 85 years at the same location – 301 Pearl Street, our fourth-generation store is owned by brother and sister, Dave and Lisa Maltese.

In 1989, the existing building was built, and little improvements were made until 2016, when a major expansion was undertaken, almost doubling the square footage of the store.

Our store is now accessible, and welcoming to all.

The Family Business

Our business was started in 1931 by Dave and Lisa’s grandfather, Papa John, along with their grandmother, Angelina. It was in an existing house, right at the corner of Pearl and Algoma Streets, where the parking lot is now located. There was a storefront, fruit stand and ice wagon which Papa John used to deliver ice to people’s houses. The family lived above the store, then eventually bought the house next door.

The store was then run by their sons, Rocky and John, and Nina, John’s wife. The second generation continued to pass on the tradition by having their children, the third generation, work at the store as well. Lisa and Dave have worked here from a very young age.

In the early days, sawdust was needed for the floor. Lisa remembers pulling a little red wagon down the street to Wanson Lumber at the age of eight, twice a day, every five days for sawdust. She continues to manage the front of the store, placing orders and stocking shelves. Her love for cooking unique foods is evident in some of the merchandise.

Dave has been butchering since he was about twelve, and continues to run the meat department, cutting meat and making sausages. He loves to share his craft by teaching courses, like sausage-making.

Those hands-on skills, work ethic and passion that Lisa and Dave have learned from their past generations are being passed on to their children, the fourth generation, who work in our store after school, weekends, summers and holidays.

Many of the staff have been here for numerous years and have grown with the store as well. As part of the Maltese family, they too are committed to delivering quality customer service, and passing on the traditions to future generations.