About Us

Our family began in Sicily as farmers, fishermen and merchants.  We've traced our history in the food and wine industry back to the 1700s.  In 1902, we began a new chapter with the establishment of a small kiosk near Grand Rapids' fabled furniture factories that hired Italian designers and fabricators to make some of the world's best furniture.  Most of these young artisans were here alone and missed good home-style cooking.  Giovanni Battista Russo, along with his parents, Francesco and Girolama Lombardo-Russo, produced the foods these workers craved.  By 1905, they were able to move into a structure in the Ramona Park district on Wealthy Street in East Grand Rapids.  The business grew and the family purchased the big building on the corner of Division and Franklin Street in 1908.  More family members immigrated to Grand Rapids and they set up businesses on the street level of the property.  The upper floors had several apartments where family members lived.

The Italian grocery-deli operated at 752 S. Division as GB Russo Importer.  When Frank D. Russo was born in 1916, the name was changed to GB Russo & Son.  Also, on the second floor of the building, GB and his daughter Rose Russo operated the Roma Hall venue that was a night club, Italian restaurant and wedding hall from 1930 to the 1970s. Many top entertainers from Nat King Cole, Al Green, to the Supremes sang there. 

By the early 1950s, GB and Frank decided to create the first fast food pizzeria in the area at 750 Division.  Over the years, it was operated by several family members and currently is located on 44th St. SW under ownership of our cousin Michael Russo.

In 1947, Frank D. Russo married Mary Amante.  They had five children.  John F. Russo is their eldest son.  Together, we operated the retail specialty food and wine store on Division until 1967.  It was moved to 1935 Eastern Ave. SE and operated there until 1976, when the family built a new store at 2770 29th St. SE.  Eventually, Frank's younger sons took over ownership of the 29th St store.  In the early 2000s, John and his kids opened the Carrettino Italian Market at 4301 Kalamazoo Av. SE, where we operated for about 5 years,  As neighborhood demographics changed, that store was closed. 

Now, John, a member of the fourth generation and his children (fifth generation) Gina, Mike, Greg and Dominic have created a new format, based on elements of the original S. Division location in the beautiful Tanger mall.  We also have members of our 6th generation working along side us.

The new RUSSO RISTORANTE & MERCATO serves authentic Italian cuisine, small plates and excellent wines in a casual atmosphere.  The mercato (market) is filled with carefully curated Italian and Mediterranean grocery products, mainly from family-owned, sustainable farms and manufacturers.  Plus, a large collection of quality wines from the best American and European producers.  Quality products and personal service!