Appreciating Small Businesses
Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce & Garden Center

By Darlene Brace

   Each year, Small Business Development Week is celebrated and recognized in the Jamestown area. On April 29, the Jamestown Small Business Development Week was kicked off at a special ceremony at Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce and Garden Center on Fairmont Avenue in Jamestown. Jamestown Mayor Ecklund, County Executive PJ Wendal, and other area officials presented special recognition to Brigiotta’s, commemorating their 100th year anniversary serving the Jamestown community.

    Brigiotta’s first opened in November of 1924 by Tony and Josephine Brigiotta. At that time, their store was a small produce store that was attached to their home in “Brooklyn Square” and was near the area where Big Lots is located today. They opened their store to supply the community with a variety of fresh produce and Italian goods. The store flourished there for many years and was later relocated to South Main Street next to where Johnny’s Lunch was at that time. In 1955, at the age of 22, their daughter Frances and her husband Tom Galbato, who had worked alongside her parents for years, took over running the business. 

   Then in 1973, things changed. The Jamestown Urban Renewal initiative tore down many of the homes and buildings in the area, and many families and small businesses were displaced. Brigiotta’s relocated temporarily to Jones and Gifford Avenue in a makeshift store, yet their business continued to grow. Around this time, a customer asked Frances if she could make him a sandwich, which she did.  With a demand for food in this industrial part of town, the sub shop opened and became part of Brigiotta’s business.

   Shortly after that, Frances and Tom obtained a Small Business Association Loan, and in 1975, they opened their new storefront on Fairmont Avenue where it currently still is. Their three children, Carla, Tim, and Tom Galbato worked in the store alongside their parents for many years. Carla said, “Our parents and grandparents led by example and taught us how to run the family business. They instilled strong business values and ethics, along with kindness and generosity. They were amazing, loving people and always treated the customers with dignity and respect. We have continued that as part of our business’s heritage and reputation.” Carla also stated that her mother felt blessed that all three children had gone into the family business and that they each had their own talent that complemented each other and that “three became one”.

   Carla and her brothers continued to work alongside their parents until their parents gradually retired around 2002. Today the three Galbato siblings own and operate the business and they each run their own domain. Carla operates the retail produce store that most people in the community associate the name Brigiotta’s with. The store includes a sub shop, delicatessen, and specialty imported and local items to purchase. There is an abundance of fresh produce, some of which is from local seasonal farms. In December, they sell Christmas trees, wreaths, poinsettias, and other holiday goods.

   Carla’s brother Tim runs the greenhouses and Garden Center on Livingston Avenue. This large five-acre garden center houses over 20 greenhouses where they have a wide variety of planters and hanging baskets with many different types of flowers. Located in this area, Tim’s wife Kate operates Francesca’s Floral Design Florist Shop where you can purchase a variety flowers.

   Behind the scenes, Tom Galbato runs the warehouse and the wholesale produce. It’s a big part of Brigiotta’s business that the public knows very little about. It’s behind the produce store, and it is enormous. It’s approximately 25,000 square feet and about 20,000 of that is temperature-controlled refrigeration to keep the produce at the right temperatures. The warehouse has over 20 trucks that deliver produce weekly to schools, restaurants, and other stores in Northwest Pennsylvania and many locations in New York.  

   Over the years, the Galbato’s have expanded their family business many times. Brigiotta’s is much more than what meets the eye, and it has become quite a large enterprise. It employs over 80 people, including James, Collin, and Andria that are the 4th generation great grandchildren of the original owners.

        Throughout the years, Brigiotta’s has been a leader and the backbone of the small businesses in this area. Carla stated that their businesses wouldn’t be here without the loyal support of their customers and wants to thank them for their many years of  support. She and her brothers want to thank their family and staff for helping Brigiotta’s continue to serve the Jamestown community. They are grateful to their parents for teaching them how to run this successful family business that has stood the test of time of 100 years of business. Let’s all wish Brigiotta’s a Happy 100th Anniversary in serving the Jamestown community.