Letizio Family Meat Market “People’s Cash Market” Opens

Florindo and Antonio Verrecchia take ownership of People’s Cash Market as the family’s first enterprise in the food business. The small market in the Italian immigrant neighborhood quickly earns a reputation for quality meats and great service. Antonio’s wife Vincenza (Letizio) works alongside her husband and brother-in law, cutting meat as they grow their business and reputation in the neighborhood. Deliveries come daily by horse drawn cart and the small ice cooler holds back stock, while cuts of beef, lamb, pork and veal are hung and merchandised for customers to see, along with dry groceries and household goods that stock the shelves. A few electric light bulbs illuminate the market after dark. Success in the market leads to Florindo selling his share of the store to Antonio and Vincenza and the busy little market grows to need the help of more skilled hands and can-do meat men to meet the demand. Enter the 2nd generation as Antonio’s sons and his nephews, the Letizio brothers join the family business. In this photo, young Alfred Letizio (center) works alongside Uncle Antonio.