Welcome to the Business Journal Archives
Search for articles below, or continue to the all new BusinessJournalDaily.com now.
Search
Market Breathes New Life to Mahoning Avenue Corridor
"By Dan O'BrienYOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Come spring, a heavily travelled corridor leading into the city should begin to see new signs of life.Santisi's Wholesale Foods is now operationg a walk-in delicatessen, produce and frozen foods shop along Mahoning Avenue. When the weather breaks, the company plans to convert its parking lot into an old-fashioned open air market."On Saturdays in Pittsburgh, people from all over go to the Strip District and shop," said Michael Santisi, president. That same atmosphere can be replicated here in Youngstown, especially along this stretch of Mahoning Avenue near the downtown, he added.City officials were on hand Tuesday to celebrate the grand opening of the new business, located in the former Passarelli Bros. Towing garage.Santisi said he invested about $850,000 to purchase and renovate the building. New floors were poured and new lighting was installed to accommodate the retail and wholesale distribution business. New freezers, coolers and a meat counter were also added."When I purchased this building, a lot of people thought I was crazy," Santisi said. The structure was abandoned and falling apart, and would have remained an eyesore to an area that city officials concede needs to be revitalized.Most of the company's business comes through selling wholesale foods to pizza shops, restaurants, institutions and grocers within a 75-mile radius, according to Santisi. The Mahoning Avenue location makes it accessible to not only patrons passing through the city, but to those travelling along Interstate 680 from the suburbs. "It's a great location," he said.The wholesale business previously occupied the former Riverbend Food building along West Rayen Avenue in the city, Santisi noted. That part of the operation relocated to the Mahoning Avenue site in early July 2004 and the retail trade opened shortly before Christmas.The move was a natural for Santisi, who grew up in the business. "My family's been in the grocery business for 50 years," he said. "This has all the ingredients for anyone who likes to cook," he said.The shop is decidedly Italian, offering meats, pasta, sauces, cheeses and baked goods. It also carries gourmet coffees, seafood and a variety of fruits and vegetables.Mayor George M. McKelvey said it's businesses such as Santisi's that assist the city in transforming blighted properties into working endeavors. "They believe in Youngstown," the mayor said, and were willing to invest their own dollars into an operation that today employs 16.The project was assisted through programs administered through the city's economic development department. The business received a 75% tax break on personal property, participated in the city's SBA initiative and was awarded a facade grant for improvements to the front of the building.Contact Dan O'Brien at [email protected]"