Our Family Story
In 1906, from the shores of Eastern Sicily, an adventurous fisherman with hopes for a better tomorrow, journeyed to America in search of the American Dream. Arriving in Ellis Island and traveling to Philadelphia, young Tommaso Anastasio was eager to begin fulfilling his dream. With a push-cart and ambition, he was determined to make a better life for himself and his family, for generations to come. He worked hard in and around the S. 9th Street neighborhood, establishing himself and soon marrying Caterina, daughter of the Lucchese fish market family of the S. 9th St market. When the Great Depression hit, it was all work for their 7 children and no more schooling. Their youngest son, Antonio (Tony), with a 6th grade education, was put to work with a fruit & produce push cart. Through shear will and determination, they survived the depression and grew their businesses and their family. By 1938, Tony parked his push-cart in front of 903 S. 9th St. and rented the store, directly next to the family fish market. Tony Anastasio would spend the rest of his life, living & working right here with his sweetheart Anna, the eldest daughter of Vernando & Maria Pagano, poultry merchants on the market. Today, versions of both the family's seafood store and fruit & produce business are still in existence on the market and are owned & operated by members of the Anastasio Family.
In the late 1980's, after traveling to Italy Tony's grandson, Anthony returned with an idea to bring all of the color and culture of an authentic Italian Cafe back home, to what was now know as the S. 9th St. Italian Market. When Tony's son, Thomas, moved the fruit & produce to a larger wholesale facility, Anthony now had his opportunity to begin fulfilling his dreams on the market. On April 21, 1995 Anthony, now 22, transformed his grandfather's original store into Anthony's Italian Coffee House at 903 S. 9th St., nearly 60 years after Tony parked his push-cart. It was the market's first coffee house to open in nearly 50 years. For the next several years, Anthony worked to share his passion of the Italian culture and family traditions. His parents, Thomas (Chubby) & Anne encouraged and supported his vision to help enhance the market with new outdoor seating, extending store hours and inviting everyone in to share in the family traditions. Still today you will find mamma setting up the coffee house in the early hours of morning, greeting the day's first customers and sharing her thoughts of family and tradition, while sipping her morning latte on the deck, where her father-in-laws' push-cart was once parked. (Continued Below Pictures)
In the late 1980's, after traveling to Italy Tony's grandson, Anthony returned with an idea to bring all of the color and culture of an authentic Italian Cafe back home, to what was now know as the S. 9th St. Italian Market. When Tony's son, Thomas, moved the fruit & produce to a larger wholesale facility, Anthony now had his opportunity to begin fulfilling his dreams on the market. On April 21, 1995 Anthony, now 22, transformed his grandfather's original store into Anthony's Italian Coffee House at 903 S. 9th St., nearly 60 years after Tony parked his push-cart. It was the market's first coffee house to open in nearly 50 years. For the next several years, Anthony worked to share his passion of the Italian culture and family traditions. His parents, Thomas (Chubby) & Anne encouraged and supported his vision to help enhance the market with new outdoor seating, extending store hours and inviting everyone in to share in the family traditions. Still today you will find mamma setting up the coffee house in the early hours of morning, greeting the day's first customers and sharing her thoughts of family and tradition, while sipping her morning latte on the deck, where her father-in-laws' push-cart was once parked. (Continued Below Pictures)
The market and the customers have responded so well that Anthony's added a Chocolate House in 2003 to showcase house-made chocolates and artisan gelato. Over the next decade, the wholesale and mail order made our products available throughout the country. The family continued to grow and now Anthony's children can be spotted behind the counters on weekends. They represent the family's future on the market as we continue to work together to preserve, to enrich and to continue the Family Traditions for generations to come.
Our story continues to evolve...In March 2020, an international pandemic (COVID-19) brought nations across the globe to shutdown and quarantine for months, which halted all travel and disrupted the national supply chain. Digital ordering platforms with no-contact became essential for safety. The online E-commerce, takeout/curb-side pickup/delivery became our primary business model and has sustained our family business throughout 2020. Proudly we have kept everyone employed and continue to take the necessary steps to preserve, enrich and continue our work in our beloved Italian Market Community.
Our story continues to evolve...In March 2020, an international pandemic (COVID-19) brought nations across the globe to shutdown and quarantine for months, which halted all travel and disrupted the national supply chain. Digital ordering platforms with no-contact became essential for safety. The online E-commerce, takeout/curb-side pickup/delivery became our primary business model and has sustained our family business throughout 2020. Proudly we have kept everyone employed and continue to take the necessary steps to preserve, enrich and continue our work in our beloved Italian Market Community.
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