Milton is a better place thanks to the Fruit Center. It is a blue chip company that provides quality service and gives to the community. Thank you and happy birthday! – Frank Schroth
A Boston Area Grocer Looks at 40 Years of Growth … And Makes Plans for the Next 40
This month, Fruit Center Marketplace celebrates its 40 year anniversary. Opened in the spring of 1973 by Don Mignosa, this successful gourmet grocery with outposts in Milton and Hingham is currently operated by General Manager Steve Di Giusto, and by Don’s two grown sons, Mark and Mike Mignosa.
In celebration of its 40 years as a culinary presence on the South Shore, Fruit Center Marketplace this month debuts its Local Chefs Series, cooking demonstrations by some of the region’s top talents, including Catherine Walthers, author of the top-selling cookbook “Raising the Salad Bar,” on Monday, March 18. Demonstrations take place in the 2nd floor Marketplace Café from 6:30-7:30 PM.
April’s demonstration lineup includes chef Nuno Alves of Tavolo (4/1), local fish and seafood expert Peter Howard (4/4), chef-owner Chris Douglass of Ashmont Grill (4/22), and Cynthia Gallo-Casey of The Roman Table in Scituate (4/25). Class descriptions and sign-ups are at http://fruitcentermarketplace.com
Also during its anniversary year, Fruit Center is rolling out an expanded selection of high-end and custom gift baskets for corporate and personal occasions from retirements to graduations.
Amazingly, compared to big league players like Roche Bros. or Hannaford, Fruit Center Marketplace’s two stunning, 14,000 square foot stores fly slightly under the grocery radar, like a well-kept community secret, despite its:
- community giving program that benefits hundreds of South Shore organizations annually
- employment of almost 250 full and part-time workers
- on-site, full service breakfast and lunch spot called Marketplace Café
- monthly seminars by a certified nutritionist
- seasonal 4-course wine dinners
- installation of the longest salad bar south of Boston
A FAMILY IN THE FRUIT BUSINESS SINCE THE 1800’S
1889 Carmelo Mignosa, immigrates to America from Sicily and settles in South Boston, where he opens Mignosa’s Fruit Stand on West Broadway. All 12 of his children work in the market at some point in their lives.
1955-1960 Youngest son Don (or Donny, as he is known) enters the Army during the Korean War, and is stationed in Japan for two years. Discharged in California, where he studies architecture for two years.
1960 Don returns to Boston to marry and have five children. Works 5 years with Mr. Donut, in store development.
1968 Don partners with his brother Cosmo to open the Fruit Basket in Quincy, MA.
1973 Don ventures out on his own and opens the Fruit Center in Weymouth, MA with much success, and develops a core group of future store managers.
1976 Don opens the Fruit Center in Hingham, MA. Steve DiGiusto becomes produce buyer and manager.
1979 Fruit Center of Milton opens. Within the next few years, Don develops a plan to open a new and bigger market across the street.
1981 Milton Marketplace opens with the Fruit Center as its anchor.
1980’s Fruit Center expands to a full service gourmet market and adds expanded groceries and deli.
1990’s Don’s two sons Mark and Mike enter the business full time
2000-present Mark Mignosa manages the Hingham store, while Mike Mignosa manages Milton Marketplace. Steve DiGiusto serves as General Manager of both stores, supervising over 250 employees. Don Mignosa, although technically retired, still plays an active roll in the family operation.
2012 Fruit Center is named one of the area’s “Top Medium-Sized Places to Work” by The Boston Globe.