A Man and a Dream:
After working for 27 years at Gristedes Supermarkets in NY, Tony Caraluzzi, Sr. wanted to venture out on his own. While living in Bronx, NY he was sent to Greenwich, CT to manage a new Gristedes location and he fell in love with the CT countryside. During that time he saw an ad for a fruit and vegetable market for sale and he took the train to Bethel, CT to take a closer look. In 1949 Bethel had 11 other markets serving the small town, but that didn’t deter Tony from taking every last nickel he had saved up to purchase the Bethel Fruit & Vegetable Market on Greenwood Ave. His plan was to move his family to CT and run a simple little country store. Easy enough, right?
It didn’t take Tony, Sr. long to realize the small country store was picturesque, but not necessarily practical with the changing times and customers’ desires for more variety and offerings. In 1959 he relocated up the road into a larger 3,000 square-foot store on the same property the current Caraluzzi’s Bethel Market stands today. One by one each of Tony’s four sons came into the business; Lou from inception, Ed and Bob joined soon after, then Tony, Jr. in 1960.
Expansion and Succession Through the Years:
The Bethel store expanded in 1973 and again in 1989. The business thrived under the tutelage of Tony Sr., and ultimately Tony Jr. took the lead and was instrumental in growing the business, positioning the store strongly against the competition, and setting it up for transition to the next generation.
In the 1990’s members of the third generation entered the business in more senior roles. Bob’s son Steve took over the grocery department and Ed’s son Matt was in charge of the front end cashiers and baggers.
In 1997 Tony Jr.’s daughter Jennifer entered the business to open Nutmeg Discount Liquors, an idea of Tony’s to be located in the spot of a former grocery chain store competitor down the road.
In 2001, Tony Jr.’s son Mark re-entered the business in a business development and marketing capacity with the goal of expanding locations and building the Caraluzzi’s brand.
In 2002, the Bethel store underwent another major expansion and complete remodel. The Bethel Food Market was also rebranded as Caraluzzi’s Bethel Market incorporating the family name to set the tone for expanding locations.
In 2003, the family opened their second supermarket in Wilton, CT in an area known as Georgetown taking over a former A&P location.
In 2005, Tony Jr. successfully transitioned the management from the 2nd generation to the 3rd generation - a rarity in family businesses. The business now operates under the direction of Mark as President and CEO and his sister Jen and cousin Steve both holding executive positions and playing key roles in running the company. Another third generation member, Matt, still works up front in the Bethel store and shines in his customer service capacities. Steve’s dad Bob worked the outdoor garden center in Bethel until 2023 and passed away in 2024 after a 74-year-long career and countless contributions and outstanding service to the Bethel customers. Tony Jr. is a snow bird but still checks in during the summer months to see friends over a cup of coffee at the stores and makes sure everything still looks good.
In 2008, the family opened their third supermarket in Newtown, CT in a space formerly occupied by Grand Union in the center of town.
In 2016 Nutmeg Discount Liquors store was rebranded to Caraluzzi’s Wine & Spirits with the intent of expansion and in 2017 they opened their second location called Caraluzzi’s Wine & Spirits Danbury Fairgrounds in Danbury, CT.
In 2020, Caraluzzi’s redeveloped the adjacent properties to the Bethel grocery store and built a new retail and office building and incorporated it into the same parking lot to create one shopping center. The Caraluzzi’s Wine & Spirits in Bethel was relocated from down the road into the new building.
In 2021, Caraluzzi’s Wine & Spirits opened another location in the same shopping center as their Caraluzzi’s Georgetown Market continuing a theme of creating customer convenience of one-stop shopping.
In 2022, Caraluzzi’s Wine & Spirits opened in Ridgefield, CT marking the fourth wine and spirits store.
In September 2022, Caraluzzi’s built a brand-new shopping center in Danbury, CT. The new site is the location of Caraluzzi’s fourth grocery store and fifth wine and spirits store.
Today the company is strong and poised for growth, continually exploring areas for further expansion to compete as well as to offer valued employees career development opportunities.
What’s Old is New Again:
The business has evolved and grown but still follows the founder’s principle: you can find out more about your customers by being with them. In fact, family members can often be found at the stores. Having “boots on the ground” allows leaders and managers to adapt, change, and make better and more rapid business decisions by having the exposure first hand.
Even though it’s been more than two decades since the business was rebranded to include the family’s last name, several loyal Bethel customers to this day still prefer to call the store, “Bethel Food.” The Caraluzzi name which is often mispronounced by customers is a source of entertainment for the family and staff. A popular social media post on the companies Instagram account takes a fun poke at the mix-ups and attempts to set the record straight. For the record, it’s pronounced, Care-a-luzzi’s.
Tony Sr. used to tell his sons and grandchildren when talking about a new idea or concept, “Nothing is new in this business kiddo, it just comes around again.” “When we launched our ecommerce venture taking online orders and doing delivery I said to myself, if my grandfather were still alive, he’d be saying ‘yeah, yeah we were taking phone orders and doing delivery back in 1949 kiddo’,” said Mark Caraluzzi, President & CEO, Caraluzzi’s Markets.
The business has been operating under the management of the third generation for the last 20 years and the fourth generation has been getting involved over the years working in all areas. As several fourth-generation family members are attending or just heading off to college, it’s premature to make any future succession predictions. “Over thirty years ago the third generation was encouraged by Anthony Caraluzzi Jr., then President and CEO, to pursue outside opportunities and gain external experience. He felt any decisions to come back to the family business should be on our own desires and aspirations, a tradition I plan to continue. That being said, it was exciting to see over the summer we had five members of the fourth generation working at any given time taking on rolls such as cashiers, ecommerce pickers, accounts payable support, IT support, and marketing,” said Mark Caraluzzi.
What Sets Us Apart:
“The strengths of our stores are especially centered around the perishables, such as meat, seafood, produce, and prepared foods by offering a higher product quality and variety than the typical chain stores — all while keeping prices at what others do for their basic quality. Our reputation has always centered around the meat department with the finest quality cuts of beef with Certified Angus Beef brand as our entry level product that others may offer but if so, generally at a more expensive upgrade. Our seafood market is unmatched with quality, variety, and freshness. Daily deliveries ensure the peak of quality and freshness which sets us apart from the competition. Our produce buyer is always seeking out a premium quality or size fruit and vegetable to bring in for a lower price which provides added value for our customers,” said Mark Caraluzzi.
Our Deli and Kitchen offer an unmatched selection of prepared foods for everyday grab and go meal solutions as well as full catering options for parties of any size. “Our goal is to provide freshly prepared, restaurant-quality food at economical prices for the convenience of today’s busy consumer,” said David Knebel, Deli & Kitchen Coordinator, Caraluzzi’s Markets.
Our Bakery is another of our signature standouts. Here customers will find an amazing selection of store made cakes and specialty items for any occasion, along with signature baked breads, scones, cookies, Italian pastries and much more.
Although the retail sector is infiltrated with national chain store competition, Caraluzzi’s has been successfully growing as a local independent store by focusing on customers’ changing needs, having unique product offerings, competitive pricing, and outstanding customer service. This third-generation family owned and operated business prides itself in working side by side with team members to create a family-like atmosphere amongst the entire staff.
The Caraluzzi’s Brand:
When Top Quality Meets Low Prices, that’s the Caraluzzi’s motto. Considerable research goes into every Caraluzzi’s product, working to provide exceptional quality and taste. Only the best values make it on Caraluzzi’s shelves and receive a Caraluzzi’s label. Caraluzzi’s brand products began over two decades ago with Caraluzzi’s Imported Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar. Several years later Caraluzzi’s San Marzano Marinara Sauce was first launched. “We took my grandmother’s own family recipe made with the finest ingredients, including authentic imported San Marzano tomatoes, which is found in very few jarred sauces. The tomatoes are placed through a food mill, and while this deseeding process takes extra time, it reduces the bitterness and results in a thinner sauce. Adding whole fresh basil, chopped fresh garlic, and our own cold pressed extra virgin olive oil produces the perfect Italian Sunday sauce,” said Mark Caraluzzi, President and CEO, Caraluzzi’s.
Caraluzzi’s brand products have also expanded to include all-natural, antibiotic-free fresh and frozen meat and seafood, including Pure Poultry, Pure Beef, Pure Pork, and Pure Seafood, as well as an impressive variety of authentic imported Italian pastas, canned tomatoes, olive oils, coffee, deli meats & cheese, beer, and much more.
Giving Back:
In 1999 at the 50th anniversary, Tony Jr. and his wife Roberta created a scholarship and donation to Western Connecticut State University in recognition of founders Anthony Sr. and Julia Caraluzzi that today has an endowment of over $700,000. In celebration of the 75th anniversary the family is donating another $100,000 and revamping the criteria of the scholarship to reflect business changes and expansion. The original scholarship was limited to Bethel and Immaculate High Schools. Now with the addition of multiple locations serving a much greater area, the scholarship will be expanded to cover more students from the larger area Caraluzzi’s Markets serve. Additionally, the scholarship will expand from a one-time event to one that will continue all four years (or eight semesters). “In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the scholarship, Caraluzzi’s will be hosting a wine tasting fundraiser with Western Connecticut State University in early 2025 to help continue to support the cause,” said Jennifer Caraluzzi Dimyan, Executive, Caraluzzi’s.
Caraluzzi’s is proud to announce beginning September 2024, we will be launching a new comprehensive education plan for both full- and part-time employees. The multi-faceted benefit includes a SLRA (student loan repayment assistance) program where employees can be reimbursed for a portion of their student loans even if schooling was completed prior to employment. This benefit begins after only three months of employment and increases in assistance level based on number of years employed. Additionally, the program offers tuition reimbursement for employees who are working while attending school. This program will also include advanced education for MBA’s and other applicable degrees. “Employees are our greatest asset and rewarding those who pursue further education correlates well with our scholarship at Western Connecticut State University and helps with employee retention and opens up greater opportunities for career growth at Caraluzzi’s.” said Mark
Caraluzzi’s continually supports local food banks with donations of products and gift cards, in-store drop boxes, and a 10% matching donation program. In celebration of the 75th anniversary they will be donating an additional $75,000 to support their area food banks. Product and gift cards will be distributed in the weeks following the anniversary celebration at the stores.
Anniversary Sale:
In celebration of the 75th anniversary, Caraluzzi’s supermarkets will be conducting two full weeks of extra special sale activities starting the week of August 5th and another set of specials the week of August 12th. The first week has the theme of a “75 Cent Sale” with some extraordinary deals for only 75 cents on certain items or per pound on weighted items. The second week follows a theme of “Buy 1 Get 1 for 75 Cents” on a variety of everyday items. In addition to the amazing specials there will be daily giveaways along with raffle prizes for gifts big and small -- all celebrating loyal Caraluzzi’s customers, as well as introducing new customers to come in and see what makes Caraluzzi’s Markets so special.
About Caraluzzi’s:
Started in 1949, family owned and operated for over 75 years, Caraluzzi’s Markets has supermarket locations in Bethel, Danbury, Wilton, and Newtown CT and wine & spirits superstores in Bethel, Wilton, Ridgefield, and two in Danbury CT. Caraluzzi’s maintains an outstanding level of service, quality, and competitive prices for a pleasing shopping experience that keeps customers coming back. For more information go to Caraluzzis.com.
Caraluzzi’s Wine and Spirits is not part of a cooperative and not owned by the Caraluzzi’s food market chain.
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