Zingone Brothers, Upper West Side, for market-fresh fruit in a fast-food city
From the mouths of the Zingones who work here on the fringes of Central Park to the shoppers who’ve been coming for over 50 years for friendliness, familiarity and to cherry-pick their hardware and produce, it’s first-name terms here. Even when those mouths were swaddled with face masks, the Zingones threw a lifeline delivering essentials from the packed-to-the-rafters, tin-ceilinged groceteria to homes in the ‘hood.
Domenico and Vincenzo’s faded photographs endure, their dialect still rings in the ears of descendants 100 years on, and a commitment to blood ties flows on: “I’ve been helping from when I was in junior high school,” says Richie Zingone, with pride. “I’m now in my 40s and it’s still a pleasure to serve the Upper West Side for three generations.”
Zingone Bros, 471 Columbus Avenue, NY 10024
More info: zingonebrothersny.com
While these stores may be disappearing, James and Karla—who describe themselves as “very positive people by nature”—seem certain that mom-and-pops are starting to be seen as vital again.
“To us, the most important thing is that people actually go [inside the store],” says Karla, “so that the businesses stay in business for many, many more years to come.”
Go before they’re gone.
You can also follow James and Karla Murray at instagram.com/jamesandkarla
