Peppinos Italian Market

Peppino’s Italian Market is a family-owned Italian American market and sandwich shop in Melrose where customers can both shop and grab a bite. The shelves hold specialty items imported from Italy, including pastas, olive oils, cheeses, taralli and Nutella, while the deli turns out freshly made sandwiches. The kitchen also prepares dinners that reheat easily, and owner Bernardo Natale has spent countless hours perfecting his tomato sauce, focaccia and homemade strombolis.

Bernardo, who grew up in Everett, runs daily operations, and his wife Celina, a native New Yorker, handles marketing and branding as creative director. Both grew up with backyard gardens, August tomato canning and homemade wine, and they set out to recreate the friendly feel of an old-style mom-and-pop market. The couple also sees the store as a learning experience for their four children and works with vendors to source products directly from Italy.

What to Know

• Catering is available; customers share their guest count and the market handles the rest.
• Product selection continues to grow based on customer requests.
• The owners envision the market as a place for everyone, including retirees stopping in for coffee and a newspaper.