Celebrating A 75-Year Legacy in Kansas City: Cosentino’s Food Stores
The founding brothers of Cosentino’s Food Stores pictured at the original storefront. Left to right: Dante, Jerry, a Cosentino’s customer and Jim
Cosentino’s Food Stores is a family-owned grocery store with a 75-year legacy in Kansas City. The company operates 31 stores under the banners of Price Chopper, Apple Market, Sun Fresh and Cosentino’s Market. With a focus on building lasting relationships with customers and the community, Cosentino’s is a trusted and integral part of Kansas City’s fabric.
Little did the Cosentino family realize that the small storefront grocery store they opened in 1948 would still be a Kansas City mainstay 75 years later.
The Cosentino family – including the six second-generation Cosentino brothers and cousins currently at the helm of the business – attribute achieving this remarkable milestone to forging lasting relationships with its customers and the communities it serves.
The second-generation Cosentino brothers pictured at the grand opening of Cosentino’s Downtown Market in 2009. Left to right: Jamie, Jimmy, Donnie, John, Victor and David Cosentino
The company grew from a small grocery store in 1948 to its present-day operations of 31 stores under the Price Chopper, Apple Market, Sun Fresh and Cosentino’s Market banners in the Kansas City area. It employs more than 4,000 employees, including multiple Cosentinos family members from three generations, ranging in age from 15 to 78, all working in the stores day-to-day.
Jerry Cosentino checking inventory.
Jerry Cosentino sacking groceries at the original store on Blue Ridge Boulevard.
The history of the Cosentino family in Kansas City began when family patriarch and artist, Dante Cosentino, Sr., arrived in Kansas City in 1919 from Italy and made his living painting frescoes on the ceilings of area Catholic churches. Many of those churches were closed in the 1960s and ‘70s and some were remodeled and have since painted over his work. His frescoes on the ceiling of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish at 25th and Gillham Road are the only frescoes that still remain today.
In 1948, after returning from the war, Jim and Jerry began managing the original Cosentino’s Food Store on Blue Ridge Boulevard to be joined later by their younger brother Dante, Jr.. The business competed with a multitude of competitors in its first 25 years, in close proximity, such as A&P and Safeway. The family opened a second store in south Kansas City in the early 70s and the first Price Chopper concept opened in Blue Springs in 1980.
Thirftway Storefront in 1957
In addition to its loyal customers, Cosentino’s longevity as a successful business is also a reflection of its customer-facing team members, with many individuals celebrating significant 30, 40 and even 60-year anniversaries with the company.
The Cosentino family is incredibly proud of their 75-year history in Kansas City and have always believed in the importance of serving the Kansas City community and putting customers first.
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A very special thank you to Cosentino’s for sponsoring today’s article! To feature your business, email hello@kcyesterday.com.
