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continued from page 1...... As the ship pulled out of the Gulf of Naples and the Vesuvio faded away to a mere shadow in the distance , did he have second thoughts of going away and leaving his beloved land, "Bella Napoli". Did he look out to sea and break out into song, singing a classic Neapolitan love song, full of feeling, longing for their country, "Italia Mia" and longing for "la bella vita"? Maybe he was thinking about the trees in America, the ones that grew money, so the old folks of his city, Castellammare Di Stabia believed. The answers to these questions allow us to understand the very essence of the dilemma, many Italian immigrants faced as they made the decision to leave their homeland and begin the long journey to a world where the streets were paved with gold. On August 15, 1951 Vincenzo Caccioppoli arrived at a very tiny train station in New Hamburg, Ontario after a 14-day journey across the Atlantic. He carried his only worldly possessions in a small suitcase. He was greeted with joy by his sister Emilia and her husband, George who had immigrated a year early, as part of a post war recruitment of immigrants in a flourishing post war world. Rita, would arrive a year later. Upon setting foot in Canada, his world of song, sun and family would soon be replaced by long cold winters and feelings of loneliness. A real culture shock for anyone. The first couple years were difficult as they struggled with the language, the task of adapting to the Canadian way of life and the constant wonderment of whether or not they made the right decision. Vincenzo Caccioppoli worked hard and long hours during those first few years in Canada, working at the factory during the day and the hot tobacco fields during the evenings and weekends. However, he was always looking for a better life! Having settled down in a farming community he decided to purchase a small farm and try his luck at farming. Vincenzo quickly realised that farming was not for him and sold the farm in 1962. The Inspiration... Another challenge in the mid 1950's was finding authentic Italian food. The only place around the Waterloo County area, was the Italian food store in Kitchener, Forte's Grocery Store. For the next ten years, my parents would drive to this store, where they and other homesick Italian immigrants could purchase Italian foods. It was a place where they would meet others from their homeland, mingle and reminisce of their Italy. It was during those trips to that small store, the seed was planted in my father's head, to perhaps one day open up a store of his own. In 1963, my father was offered an opportunity to return to his hometown in Italy. He was promised a managerial position in Castellammare di Stabia. Knowing some English by now, the job opportunity seemed so perfect that my parents packed up 4 young children, sold all their possessions and sailed back to Italy. Day by day my father waited patiently as this perfect job never materialised. Money was running scarce and my father soon decided he could not wait any longer. Once again, he packed up his family and returned to Canada. The Bridgeport Years...
He would soon set up a very simple credit system to help those families who were in need. He would simply take their name, give them the groceries and ask them to pay what they could when they could. For over 25 years this system worked and my father never lost a penny. He worked very long hours and the store was always open. If you ask any customer what they remember the most from those early days, it's that slice of mortadella meat my that Vincenzo would give out to the children, as they stood patiently waiting, watching the slicing machine.
Staff of 1975 In 1992, May 13th, Vincenzo passed away after suffering from cancer. Shortly before his death Tony and Carmine wheeled him into a new and bigger location that was renamed Vincenzo's in his honour. If you visit Vincenzo's today you will often be greeted by his sons, grandaughters and other family members who help out. Carmine, who spent his toddler years behind the counter with his mother , now runs the store with his brother Tony. Umberto (Bert), my brother assists with the pasta manufacturing. My sister (Italia) and myself (Lucianna), who worked in the store for over 15 years, still pop in to shop and visit with the lifelong custumers we meet. Rita my mother, now retired, is still in touch with the family store through her regular phone calls. The 3 person staff of 1967 has now grown to a staff of 75. Many of the staff working at Vincenzo's shopped at the store many years ago, as young children with their parents. Vincenzo's today displays a wall of old picture postcards of Napoli, Italy. They serve as a reminder of our roots, transplanted to Canada almost 50 years ago. Right next to these postcards hangs a large photograph of my father, Vincenzo Caccioppoli. As his smiling face looks down over a second generation operated family business, this once poor immigrant would be proud to know that his dream lives on and that his roots still flourish and continue to grow, here with his family. |
Coming to the realization that Canada was now their home, Vincenzo and Rita began plans to tackle their real dream. So in 1967, he purchased a house on Bridgeport Road in Waterloo and put up a sign that read "Italian Canadian Foods". The living room was converted into a store and there was not a lot of space left for a family of 7 people. Rita ran the store during the day, with a new baby, Carmine, by the cash register. Vincenzo continued to work at his factory job during the day. They made many sacrifices, however, Vincenzo always insisted that some day all our hard work would pay off.
(Belmont Location, where the store was located from 1992 to 2010)
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