New Italian market preparing to open next fall at site of former Fazio's store in Vandergrift

A new Italian market is coming to Vandergrift.

Fasano’s Italian Store and Deli is set to open next fall in the former Fazio’s Italian Store, at 301 Longfellow St.

Fazio’s shut its doors in 2015 after co-owners Joseph and Teresa Spina made the decision to close for health-related reasons.

Fasano’s is the concept of co-owners and best friends Jeff Goldstrom and Todd Fasano, both originally from Vandergrift.

Vandergrift has been without a grocery store since 2018, when Sprankle’s closed.

Councilwoman-elect Marilee Kessler said this new business is much-needed.

“Vandergrift has been a food desert ever since the closing of Sprankle’s,” Kessler said. “Everyone is thrilled because of the upcoming availability of a good source of meats, cheese and fresh produce. Having high-quality Italian foods will fill a need that is long overdue.”

Councilman-elect Jody Sarno said the new store will appeal to residents without cars.

“Anytime a new business can come to Vandergrift, it’s a positive thing,” Sarno said. “It presents the people in this area with another option for groceries, especially those that might find it difficult to walk or travel.”

A zoning hearing is scheduled for Jan. 10 to decide on the owners’ request to rezone the property from residential (R-4) to commercial.

Sarno encouraged residents with concerns to attend the zoning meeting.

Fasano, 55, of Stroud Township said he was inspired to open an authentic Italian market after visiting Vandergrift year after year and noticing there wasn’t one.

“We’ve seen the decline of small towns in the Pittsburgh area,” he said. “We want it to be a one-stop Italian stopping shop and give Vandergrift a real shot in the arm.”

Goldstrom said the plan is to completely renovate the interior of the store, including painting it with the Italian colors — red, green and white.

“When you walk in, you’ll feel Italian,” he said.

Fasano’s is expected to open in fall 2022. Plans are for the store to be open six days a week and employ about six people.

The new store will feature Italian deli meats, hot sausage, meatballs, hoagies, dairy, produce, a coffee bar, biscotti and pre-prepared meals such as lasagna and manicotti.

“My father was a regular at Fazio’s and back then there were several stores along Longfellow,” said Fasano, who grew up in lower West Vandergrift.

Goldstrom, 56, resides in Markle and described visits to Fazio’s as “warm and friendly — a nice place to visit.”

“I think it’s phenomenal that Vandergrift will have an Italian store. I wish them the best,” said Spina’s daughter, Vera Spina of Murrysville.

“I grew up living above the store. Christmastime was our bread and butter, with customers wanting Baccala — salted cod, torrone candy and panettone sweet bread.”

The new owners’ aim is to recreate the classic Italian deli experience that Fazio’s has offered since Elvira and Pasquale Fazio opened the first Fazio’s in Arnold in 1968.

The Vandergrift location opened in 1973 during thriving economic times in the borough.

“My aunt told me Vandergrift was so busy back then, they had a traffic cop at an intersection. It was like a Norman Rockwell painting,” Fasano said. “Every building was occupied.”

Mayor-elect Lenny Collini said he thinks it’s great an Italian store is opening in Vandergrift.

“I wish them all the luck in this community,” Collini said.