Around Philadelphia, Di Bruno Bros. is known as a staple. You’ve either been to one location or have been to them all, and chances are you’ve even bought some products made by the family-owned and operated businesses in other grocery stores, but it’s nothing like really being there in person.
The brand has different locations around the city, but the feel between each flagship location is the same: Old school, traditional and made with pride. Walking down the aisles, you’re bound to have some culinary creation catch your eye—whether it be their cheese, made-to-order sandwiches, hand-crafted bakery items or even some sushi. Typically, those who work there add to the experience as well with information and passion, making the whole shopping experience unique.
Now, shoppers beyond Philadelphia can experience what the brand is all about.
“For over 80 years and three generations, we’ve served the Philadelphia region and brought some of the world’s most exciting culinary experiences and delicious specialty products to our hometown,” says President Bill Mignucci, Jr., third-generation owner and grandson of Danny Di Bruno, in a statement. “This new location is an evolution of our beloved, homegrown shop with even more energy, expertise, and enthusiasm for all things edible.”
Next month, Di Bruno Bros. will debut its newest market in the heart of downtown Wayne at 375 W. Lancaster Ave., and this 8,000 square-foot Italian culinary marketplace will feature delicious and eye-catching displays and interactive tasting stalls. Mignucci continues, “The Di Bruno Bros. tradition of storytelling and shopkeeping inspired by my grandfather Danny and Uncle Joe Di Bruno will be on full display at our location in the heart of Wayne.”
According to a release, largely inspired by its Italian Market legacy, and old-world European food markets, where visitors leisurely peruse and graze as they fill their baskets, Di Bruno Bros. Wayne is a place where guests may taste – and with a full liquor license – sip their way through the specialty market, spending hours exploring and discovering new favorite products. In Wayne’s location, one place to stop and sip will be Bar Alimentari, a smaller, focused version of their restaurant concept that opened in summer 2019 on the second floor of their flagship store in Center City’s Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. This 20-foot circular bar will offer curated small plates of cheese and charcuterie, antipasto and wine.
Those who head to the new location from Di Bruno’s will also get to check out Cucina, another 20-foot bar with an open kitchen, serving Roman-style pizza, plus “cicchetti,” or small snacks, and sides dishes, along with daily specials from Di Bruno Bros.’ Director of Culinary Chef Ashley James. This specific area will have dual purposes as well, acting as an area for cooking classes and demonstrations from local purveyors and chefs on top of its other offerings, as permitted by the CDC’s COVID protocols.
The new Wayne location will also offer a cafe serving expertly brewed beverages and pairings; a Rosticceria, serving a variety of rotisserie meats, sides and more; a Salumi & Seacuterie Counter, offering a wide selection of caviar, smoked fish and their famous assortment of cured meats from around the world; The Pane & Dulce counter with house-made pastries by Chef James, baked goods, cakes and an assortment of other desserts; and even a gelato cart that is planned to open in the summer.
Customers can expect to get the full “Di Bruno Bros. experience” while shopping in Wayne, which entails a selection of hundreds of the finest cheeses, cured meats, olives, antipasti as well as global delicacies including truffles, imported and house-made pâté, foie gras, caviar, charcuterie, a wide variety of artisan pantry products, an extensive selection of prepared goods to-go, assortments of fresh flowers, and everything they have to offer in their bottle shop.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to be part of the Wayne community because we’ve only received the warmest response since opening our location in Ardmore, so much so, we even expanded our space there,” says Emilio Mignucci, Vice President of Culinary Pioneering, third-generation owner and cousin of Bill Mignucci in a statement. “We are proud and honored to join our close neighbor, the Lancaster County Farmers Market, which has been a staple in Wayne for almost 70 years.
We look forward to pursuing opportunities to collaborate because our family comes from a community of merchants who truly thrived together, side by side,” Mignucci continues. “We think the combination of the authentic old-world farmers market with our offerings will complement and provide the Main Line community a unique shopping experience not readily found outside of the city.”
More details for the Di Bruno Bros. Wayne will be shared as available. Philadelphians can visit dibruno.com and follow along on Instagram (@dibrunobros) and Facebook (@DiBrunoBros) for more information
