Maiorano’s Cheese Factory

102 Wooster Street (former)

Florenzano brothers in front of Maiorano’s Cheese Factory, left, Alphonse, right, Frank, c. 1960s. Courtesy Joseph Maiorano.

Maiorano Cheese Company was founded by Salvatore Maiorano in the 1960s after his retirement from the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad Company. Sal’s original plan was for the business to be an Italian specialty shop. Sal honed his skills in making mozzarella, scamorza, and fresh basket cheese, later bringing in a line of ricotta from Brooklyn, New York. The shop became famous for these items as well as his other selections of cheeses, such as auricchio provolone, parmigiano and pecorino romano which were all cut to order. The shop also had a line of cured Italian Meats such as Parma Prosciutto, Abruzzi Sausage, and different Soppresatas. He was one of the first in the area to carry a full line of DeCecco pastas. The store also featured San Marzano Tomatoes and Flippo Berrio olive oil and many other imported Italian items. Sal worked in the store until his late 80s at which time his daughter Mary took it over along with her husband Frank. Mary evolved the business into Frank and Mary’s Sub Shop, which was successful for many years. The sub shop closed in 2007; one year later it became part of Tre Scalini Ristorante, which is owned by Sal’s son Joseph Maiorano, an original partner in Maiorano Cheese.

Text source courtesy Joseph Maiorano.