Since opening in 1964, Renzullo Food Market has been a leader in offering specialty Italian and Mediterranean food products to the community, restaurants and gourmet chefs throughout the Lower Mainland. Specializing in fine foods, delicatessen, a selection of imported cheeses, specialty meats, olive oils, vinegars, and condiments, Renzullo's is your premier supplier of quality Italian imported products. We feature foods sourced and imported from around the world. As a second generation family store we take pride in carrying on traditions and customer service learned from working with our parents; Carmello and Raffaela. They taught us how to serve both our local community and our customers from beyond. We are committed to providing our customers with the finest quality products and the finest customer service possible. We also carry a selection of tableware from Italy and Europe, freshly made panini, and the best espresso coffees in the city.
In 1964, Carmelo and Raphaella (Ella) Renzullo established Renzullo Food Market on Nanaimo Street. They also set up housekeeping in a home on the corner of Nanaimo and Kitchener Street, directly across from their store. Aptly named “Casa Renzullo”, it is reminiscent of their Italian homeland with fig trees and summer-grown basil gracing the garden. There they raised six children who all attended neighbourhood schools. And at the store, a neighbourhood institution was born. In the ‘good old days’ it was a place to find food from the ‘old country’ as yet not easily available in Vancouver: grapes for making wine and baccalà (dried fish) for special occasions, real olive oil and pasta that didn’t come in a can. It was open all hours.
As the clientele grew beyond its Italian roots, the services offered also grew: a space to relax, drink real espresso and its many offshoots, enjoy a panino made from among a vast array of Italian meats, cheeses, olives and onions, and chat with an eclectic mix of people from just about everywhere. Advice, a few shoulders to lean on, life histories, current woes and triumphs, a chance to try out your Italian, and more are shared, chewed over and ingested. Kids are welcome and soon learn to love hot chocolate: heavy on the whipped cream. As a local filmmaker notes: “I come here because it’s way better than going to a psychologist.”
The shop is a cornucopia of all foods and condiments Italian. Want Romano beans (the best bean in the world, someone once attested) as fresh as picked yesterday, how about some luscious Ricotta cheese that doesn’t come in a plastic tub or truly pure olive oil? These and more are on offer.
The wooden floorboards and colourful displays of real food create a feeling of comfort and welcome. Those are qualities increasingly rare in grocery stores and so, Renzullo’s offers both a nod to what is past – because the city used to have many such shops – and a reminder that a family effort to keep old-school traditions alive is thriving and much-loved. Today, Mirella Renzullo and her husband Franco Valenti run the store in concert with employees who come, originally, from Italy (both north and south, if anyone is interested), East Van, Saltspring Island, and Israel. They, too, are part of an open-ended family that welcomes everyone.
Frances Renzullo, the eldest daughter, is a trilingual Vancouver school teacher whose experience includes many years in French Immersion and the library at Hastings Elementary and a current position as Teacher-Librarian at Van Tech. She lives close enough to walk to school. Son David runs the San Remo line of imports, varieties of olive oil, crushed tomatoes, vinegars and dozens of other products dedicated to real cooking. He lives in the neighbourhood with his wife Lena and their three children. Another daughter and her family live just around the corner. This is a perfect village node: a store stocked with colour and appeal, neighbours who walk to shop and stay to talk. They’ll sit outside even in the rain. A jewel for those fortunate enough to be in its orbit, precious and rare; it really is all in the family and the neighbourhood ---and beyond -- is richer for it!
~ Marcia Toms
I've been going here for years. Always cheerful and a warm greeting when you come in, and a fine selection of all things Italian (food). If you're in the neighbourhood, be sure to stop in and check it out. You won't be disappointed.
Renzullo is an Italian market next to Columbus meat. You hit both places and you can find ingredients to make a decent Italian meal. Back to Renzullo... Out of curiosity we approached the place and were fascinated by the owner waving at us and operating the espresso machine. Once in we were greeted in Italian (What a welcome:) We purchased a few groceries (Italian Imports) and decided to order coffee and treats. Great coffee, we were offered samples of the new Olive oil arrival and bread. Everyone was happy and lively. We did not order sandwiches but food is available. Go and enjoy the experience!
Just moved into the neighborhood and happened to catch this adorable market/deli/cafe/gelato shop with my family. Such a wonderful selection of imported treats and a very kind and welcoming staff. It really made us feel welcome in this new neighborhood. We'll be stopping by A LOT this Summer!
...and i had to check it out. I asked (I believe, the owner) to make me a couple of sandwiches. It was busy and he picked the meat and cheese for me. He talked to many of the regulars while making the sandwiches. The mother packed a bag of food for her son, who was wearing a soccer uniform, hugged and kissed him on his way. Friends came in and they all had a jovial chit chat. I felt like I was in the 1950's and there is wholesomeness everywhere. The older son was helping behind the counter, too. Everyone was friendly, happy and all getting along. The two sandwiches were simple and delicious. It brought be back to my younger years when Hastings Sunrise had many more of these Italian family grocers and a dollar bought you a sandwich with mortadella and cheese on a sub bread you picked from a basket. There were many products in there I wanted to try. The place is super clean, organised and wonderfully Italian. I also bought a jar of beautiful sliced peaches for under $5. I couldn't resist. Each sandwich cost me $5 each. Very reasonable as I refuse to spend my dollar at WholeFoods which is near my work. There's a long community table where you can sit and enjoy specialty coffee and eat.
Can't wait to see what Christmas will be like in here.
This place rocks!!!
Three months ago on my way home my Vespa broke down right in front of this deli-market, few blocks from my house. I decided to check it out before I start pushing my way back.
As soon as you walk in, you are greeted. They do not carry extended line of products, however all of your basics that you expect from a Mediterranean market are covered. Who needs to pick amongst 50 brand of pasta anyway... The whole place is full of character while all the family works the counter. Reminds me of the markets you would find in small towns in the Mediterranean. And they are the only place in town that shucks romano beans as soon as they come in season, vac-pac and freeze them, so you can have fresh beans all year round to cook with. Why am I so excited about this; well you haven't had a good bean experience unless you taste a fresh romano bean stew with carrots and olive oil. Lightness of this dish depends on the buttery fresh beans that requires minimal cooking time for tomato to keep their colour and acidity. Anyhow you can buy them here, and their Italian provolone is pretty pretty good.
One last thing, if you would like to buy a really really over sized jar of Nutella, they have that too.
Fantastic and friendly service from a family that enjoys what they do and the neighbours they do it for. Good selection of products and always a smile.
... especially 'cause they carry most European imported candies. I always buy a few here and there and I feel like a kid in a candy store.
... this outstanding Italian foods store and deli - (with the bonus of a gleaming 'Ducali' espresso machine!) - offering just what you need to keep going with your day. Like so many other local Italian family owned operations, Renzullo Food Market is another backbone in the area that proves our Italian roots. It's been around for a few generations, since 1964. A variety of meats, cheeses, breads, pastas, sauces and some cooking accoutrements makes this a one stop shop for nearby residents and a nice lunch break too. Espresso and a few tables out front in the sun are definitely a great attraction in good weather.
A great variety of imported foods and deli served by warm, friendly and helpful staff.The coffee amazing! Be sure to try their Cappuccino! A place where you come in as a Customer and you leave as a ...Friend.
The Renzullo family opened the store over 50 years ago, the large family all worked in the store at one time or another and mom and dad still live about 20 meters from the store. It's now owned by one of the daughters, her and her husband operate it. You'll see nieces and nephews working during the holiday. Need a tube of Italian tomatoe paste? Need any and everything to make a meal at home? Best imported Italian cold meats, here it is. FANTASTIC homemade spaghetti sauce? AMAZING homemade meatballs and sauce for dinner at home? Or want to munch on a panini and have a coffee or cold drink while watching the community come and go? Of course that is a panini that includes anything you want, not something pre-set and pre-made! It's like sitting on a piazza in Italy. Take a slow walk down the aisles, I always find something new to try. While you'll certainly hear Italian, Renzullos is truly a mirror of the multi-cultural community enjoying themselves and others.Rice
First, it's right on the corner so when I feel like making a cosmically delicious sandwich or pasta dish, I can just dash right on over and Frank will be there gesticulating joyfully as I walk in. That dude is like, totally about helping people. I think one time he took a bullet for a middle aged lady buying some pancetta. He kept right on slicing that hunk of cured pork! One day I saw him close up shop and I think he rescued at least 4 kittens from three different trees on his way to his car. And then he healed a leper and gave him bread and fish.
Having brought my mom to the Dr. she wanted to stop close to your shop so I stopped in for a mortadella sandwich. Just like my mom would make at home :-) and thanks for making my mom a fantastic coffee for the ride back to PoCo. She wouldn't stop talking about how "beautiful" the coffee tasted. Such a great place to stop for traditional Italian goods and the service is fantastic.
It's a family run Italian Deli where everyone is made to feel like family. The selection of standard Italian staples is excellent plus there are a few exclusive items. The prices are very fair and personally i would prefer to spend my money where I'm greeted and they know my name. Renzullo may not be on the Drive, but its the kind of business which makes this neighbourhood great.
Huge range of meats, cheese and Italian goods. The BEST latte I have had in Canada. Franco is very friendly and welcoming. Love this place, glad I live near by.
Tremendous service and customer care. A great selection of authentic Italian meats, cheese, pasta, cooking ingredients, espresso, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, etc. Venture in, ask for Frank and prepare to be hooked!
The people there are warm and down-to-earth. It's out of the way for me but I enjoy going.
Tremendous service and customer care. A great selection of authentic Italian meats, cheese, pasta, cooking ingredients, espresso, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, etc. Venture in, ask for Frank and prepare to be hooked!
Frank who works there always takes great care of us. They now have espresso which is so good. We try to come get our groceries here and have sandwich at same time. Try it and Thank me later.
Sweetest people run it and cater to everyone over and above what you could expect -- highly recommend going and checking it out at some point because they also have anything you could need for your kitchen cupboard.
This deli/Italian market is exactly the kind of local establishment you want a block form your house. For just a few dollars you can get an awesome meat and cheese sandwich. They have an olive and antipasti bar, and a large selection of imported Italian foods. Renzullo has now put in a espresso machine, which pretty much completes what was already a great experience. Their lattes are amazing!
We can provide special platters and catering services for your occasions. Contact us to discuss your catering needs or to order our famous gift baskets. Or if you have any other questiomns feel free to contact us. We love to hear from you!