By Michael Degen

It may not be a Wegmans or Tops supermarket, but that’s exactly what Guercio & Sons market is going for. 

This West Side market, located on 25 Grant St., has become a comfort spot for some of the area’s residents, including those who have moved out of the West Side.  Since 1961, the market has provided fresh fruits, vegetables, deli meats and cheeses to its customers, along with a healthy dose of old-fashioned customer service.

Guercio & Sons, owned by five brothers, truly is a place where everybody knows your name, as evidenced by the friendly exchanges between co-owner Charles Guercio and the customers he obviously knows so well.

Outside, even in the chill of November, a rainbow of fruits and vegetables greet customers and passers-by.  Red California plums, green zucchini, tangerines, and apples of all colors sit in baskets.

“They’ll be out here until mother nature takes over and the freezing point comes,” said Guercio as he tended the outdoor stand.

Customers gave many different reasons for wanting to shop at the market, such as:

• better prices than a supermarket

• higher quality, fresher products

• availability of hard to find products

• supporting local business

“You know that they’re going to be fresh, that’s what keeps them in business,” said Yvonne Meldrum, who has been shopping at Guercio & Sons for over 30 years.

“It’s like a New York City market.”

Some of the customers feel the market holds together the neighborhood surrounding Guercio & Sons, keeping businesses and residents in the area.

“If they were to leave this area, the rest of this street would be done,” said Al DiFrancesco, a 25 year customer who still lives on the West Side.  “It’s been like this since the early 60’s, and it keeps this area alive.”

Even former residents, who grew up near the market or remember going there as a child, return frequently said Guercio.

 “People that used to live here, they always come back. Even if they miss one Saturday, they will be back next week,” said Guercio. “They always feel like coming here.  It’s their neighborhood.”

The market also specializes in Italian foods, with a large selection of olive oils and a gigantic cheese display.  The market also has begun to supply local restaurants like the Buffalo Chophouse and Bacchus.

Guercio & Sons is open Mon-Sat from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information:

Guercio & Sons

Business First Article 

Map

Contact Mike Degen: mjdegen@gmail.com

The outdoor market of Guercio & Sons at 25 Grant St.

Just some of the enticing produce selection.

Owner Charles Guercio chats with a customer.