Kristin Randazzo hopes customers feel like a visitor in her home when they’re perusing Giacomo’s Italian Market in Quakertown. The vibe is cozy, chic and welcoming, many of the employees are actually family and her kids may be running around barefoot with a football… what’s more homey than that?
Kristin Randazzo
Owner
Tell us about the journey to opening Giacomo’s Italian Market.
I had quit my job in the corporate world to help my husband at Giovanni’s Pizzeria. It had been about five or six years since I had worked at the pizzeria full-time and I immediately began adding to the catering menu, offering a variety of different items along with charcuterie and grazing tables. I began creating beautiful set-ups that just took our catering to a new level and I absolutely loved doing it. Shortly after that, we began getting requests for family-style meals that were healthy and ready to just heat and eat. So, in January, right before COVID hit, we started offering one family-style meal a day. It was something that was not on our regular menu and gave a new option to families of any size. This concept caught on very quickly and, before we knew it, we had lines of cars waiting to pick up food each day. It was such a success, it carried us through COVID. We quickly came to the realization that we were running two different businesses out of one kitchen and we needed more space. The place right next to us was open and available so I stood in the vacant store one day and drew up my plans. I wanted to expand Giovanni’s.
I took it to the landlord and I was denied the expansion because of exclusions in some of the surrounding businesses in the shopping center, but our landlord had bigger ideas and that’s where the market idea was born. I went back and drew up all-new plans for a market and, within months, the lease was signed!
What did the design process look like?
I had studied interior design and fine art in Florence, Italy, during college and my time there was unforgettable! The culture made me want to create something like that at home. I wanted to bring that lifestyle and authenticity to Quakertown for people to experience. The market was completely designed by me, including the architectural drawings, light plans, floor plans, finishes, etc. I finally had used my interior design degree for a project for me. The market was built by family and close friends and holds so much sentimental value. This place I have created is more like my home and my heart and soul. It is named after our youngest son, Giacomo, who has wanted a place with his name on it, since his brother is named after the pizzeria (and my father-in-law). Poster-size pictures of my kids from our last family trip to Italy are hanging in the market and it just completes the design.
How has the market been received by the community?
I did a lot of research when selecting the items I wanted in the store, and for a valid reason. I wanted something that has never been in this area. I wanted to create not only a market but an experience. As soon as you walk through the door, I want you to feel like you’re in a different town, a different county—like you stepped into a market while on vacation! The first few months, I think I cried every time I watched people walk through the door with a huge smile on their face looking around like they had never seen anything likethis in our town. I wanted people to smile when they walked in,and they do! It has been above and beyond what I had hoped for. I have people that drive from an hour away to come here, regularly! It makes me so happy and proud to have created something that makes people excited to come to.
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Tell us about your wide variety of offerings!
I offer a variety of different items in my store. I have an entire wall of all imported grocery items from breakfast cornetti to pastas and sauces to olive oils, tuna, jarred condiments and aperitivo, to meats and cheeses as well as imported beverages. I have a deli where all of the meats are imported. I have a sandwich and charcuterie station that is made to order as well as an entire wall of grab-and-go and prepared foods both refrigerated and frozen. There is also a small counter with vats of infused olive oils and vinegars for you to fill up your own glass bottle. Then, in the middle of the store, you will find three cases full of pastries and baked goods—the most difficult section of the store to resist!
Is there an offering that locals just can’t get enough of?
I think the number one item is my mom’s cinnamon rolls. They are incredibly good—like, addicting! You cannot just stop at one bite. She has truly outdone herself with those!
Tell us about Giacomo’s Table and your event offerings!
I love to cook for people, especially people who appreciate a nice sit-down meal. I wanted to be able to cook for a table of guests and allow them to sit back and enjoy an evening without the mess or hassle of setting up and cleaning up—a night where they can have a private dining experience to themselves with family and friends and, of course, lots of food. I have done many Giacomo’s Tables since I opened and each one has been so much fun! It really feels like I’m cooking for a group of friends right in my kitchen.
220 N. West End Blvd., Quakertown | 267.347.4485 | giacomos-italianmarket.com
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Published as "Get the Goods" in the June 2022 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
