Produce Vendor Giordano’s Closes in Philly’s Italian Market

P&F Giordano Fruit & Produce, a staple of South Philadelphia's Italian market for more than a century, has announced it has closed pending a sale of the property at Ninth Street and Washington Avenue.

John Giordano, 64, the grandson of the founders, started working at the store at age 5 when he would arrive home from kindergarten. He reflected on how the produce business has faced competition from supermarkets and the increase in delivery services over the years.

Giordano told The Philadelphia Inquirer that he and his son, John III, would relocate to the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market in South Philadelphia. His brother Gene will continue his wholesale business from Anastasio Produce, while Wally, his other brother, will retire.

The Giordano family's history in Philadelphia began when Paul and Frances Giordano, Sicilian immigrants and John Giordano's grandparents, obtained the property through a brother of Paul Giordano, who lied about his age to enlist and fight in World War I at age 16. After the brother was killed during combat, the Giordano family purchased the building in the Italian market with proceeds from a life insurance policy.

The Italian market, where Giordano's was based, has been featured in many films and television shows, including Rocky and Trading Places. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, during its peak of operations, Giordano's operated almost 24 hours a day.

Over the years, Giordano's descendants owned many properties nearby the market, including a property at Eighth and Washington that housed the now-closed Captain Jesse G's Crab. Members of the Giordanos eventually got out of the produce business, choosing to pursue other professions.

Paul Giordano & Sons in the Philadelphia Wholesale Market, owned by another part of the Giordano family, recently closed. A fourth generation, under the leadership of Marcello Giordano, 53, manages a wholesale business, Giordano Garden Groceries, on South Front Street.