Thankyou, Anthony DiPietro!

We are pleased to see your company back soon on Grey Street.

When we think of our grocery expenses we have several choices to meet our needs: corporate entities like Loblaws, Metro and Sobeys; big box membership bulk purchase stores like Costco; and local family-run businesses.

This is a story about the value of shopping local, hiring local and serving local expectations. We expect exceptional quality service, product choice and local investment to meet OUR family needs. This is a story about family commitment in the food industry spread over generations and that doesn’t put shareholder’s return on investment as a priority over civic responsibility. This is about the DiPietro family, and the rising from the ashes after a devastating fire, to serve Brantfordians.

This is about the Brant Food Centre.

I had the opportunity to interview the owner of Brant Food Centre, Anthony DiPietro, about his plans and his purpose. After the fire there were a few construction delays and supply chain issues over the past 14 months, understandably, given the post COVID era.

He loves serving Brant/Brantford and is anxious to get back on track before this Fall. More to come on that as the official opening is currently being planned.

“I love and respect our customers, and we want to reward their loyalty by exceeding their expectations. We have come through Covid-19 and now a fire. We are pleased to be re-opening in Brantford soon.

Our mission is to maintain our focus on the three areas we are known for: the Deli; the Meat department; and the Bakery. We are proud of our staff and welcome their return as well. It’s been tough on them during our closing.

As contractors were busy at the site, it was rewarding to see neighbours and friends come by to check on our progress.”

DiPietro’s business philosophy and corporate emphasis is on supplying reasonable prices, customer service and quality product keeping in mind: those lineups for packed deli sandwiches; the fresh butchered meat and sausage devotees; and of course the bread connoisseurs (I can already taste those fresh unsliced Brioche loaves prepared in-house in his bakery -Editor). He strives for local fresh farmed goods when available and has expanded the grocery section to serve his faithful customer base.

His extended family is renowned in the food service industry in south western Ontario. Cousins and uncles started the original DiPietro family grocery stores in Hamilton in the 70’s and expanded to Cambridge. Anthony’s father partnered and then bought out the Brantford location on Grey Street. Anthony took over the business in the 1980’s. The building on Grey Street goes back to the 1800’s, originally as part of the city industrial base and restored for retail.

The store will be laid out a little differently. When you think of the bins of fresh baked buns and breads you used to see as you entered, they’ve moved and there is whole new bakery selection including a section for hot foods where the fruit tray choices used to be. The fresh baked and heated pies will be at the counter with the white ceiling section seen below.

The Deli is now where the refrigerated  goods were on your right upon entry (the brown wall you see in the picture below). Convenient access for the lunch pick up.. early afternoon.. and until daily closing time… good stuff never ends.

The wide shot of the construction section will be a poured epoxy floor for safety and ease to sanitize. Josh, the meat Manager, is standing (light blue shirt and white cap) with his back to the camera and where the new start of the expanded grocery section is right to the back wall.

As you exit, cashiers are there to help you. People not self-serve! And to the right looking at the windows, is the renovated meat section.

It is important to recognize the commitment of a family business that supports our community. Together we all win in developing a strong relationship.

When you see the parking lot, as in the image below, paved, it signals that it won’t be be long after and the doors will open to welcome you back to the DiPietro family business you missed.