Looking for an Italian Grocery store in the area (Denver: home, neighborhood)

[bullfish15]

I am looking for an Italian grocery store in the Denver area. We had several back home in N.E. Ohio, stocking imported meats, cheeses, pasta, candies and what have you. Is there a store like that here in Denver?

[livecontent]

The oldest established Italian Market in Denver is
Vinnola's Italian Market Italian Pastries, Market, Deli, Vinnola's, Vinnolas see pictures
Vinnola's Italian Market Italian Pastries, Market, Deli, Vinnola's, Vinnolas Over the years, it seems to have turned itself more into a Deli Restaurant with new owners.

I have never really been impressed by the Italian Markets in Denver. They are nothing like you can find in NYC, San Francisco or Chicago. Most are small with limited inventory and too expensive.

I grew up in New York and in my time, over 50 years ago, the markets were authentic lower priced markets, serving an Italian community, which was not so affluent. The problem today is that they have more expensive and target more affluent people which looses the real appeal. In addition, Denver never established an extensive Italian heritage like the cities I mentioned and consequently does not carry the wide array of products that are available.

For more extensive reasonable products, I would look to the local grocery. For wider selection, the expensive gourmet markets that serve the new rich, have a wider selection. For more extensive cheeses, I would look to a specialty cheese shop. For extensive selection of cured meats, I do not think there is a good Italian choice in Denver.

That is not to say that there is not some niche markets with some good products. One of the markets that is well known for sausage is Carbone's Italian Market on West 38th in Denver. It does have some limited selection of Italian Products. There are some Deli's that carry other products and have been around for years such as Valente's on Meade, in Old Westminster. I have found many Italian Bakeries that are good such as Vincenza's on West 44th in Wheat Ridge and Dolce Sicilia on Wadsworth, again in Wheat Ridge.

Wheat Ridge has much more Italian Influence because the North Denver in Denver Speak, that is Northwest Denver was the Traditional Italian area in Denver and many Italians moved west into Wheat Ridge. Many years ago, Denver had some reasonable priced Italian Markets, serving the poor Italians but that is no more--Anyone remember Macinelli's ??? For me, the one that comes close is Carbone's on West 38th, which has been around for years. However, it mostly sells sausage.

Again, to me an authentic ethnic market serves a neighborhood of poorer immigrants and has products that are priced modestly. Unfortunately, Italians have now become wealthier and these real markets are gone. However, we now have the good real markets for Hispanics and Asians--until they become rich.

Ah, I miss the sights and smells of Baccala (Dried Salted Cod), sausages, hams, salamis etc. all those odors which are no more...and the loud sounds of a family living behind the store.....

Livecontent

[BlueWillowPlate]

Have you been to Spinelli's at 4621 E 23rd Ave?
My brother in Park Hill loves that place.

[livecontent]

I heard some good comments about Spinelli's

Spinelli's Market: Welcome to Spinelli's Market

Sadly, it is too far out from my neighborhood. I will have to have a look at this market, someday. Good Website--looks good--now, I am hungry.

Livecontent

[Sockeye]

Parisi's at 46th and Tennyson St. is well stocked.