Well-known Italian specialty market to welcome third generation of family owners as business eclipses milestone 75th anniversary
ALBANY, N.Y. – Cardona’s Market in Albany, NY, will look toward the future while remaining true to its longstanding heritage as a family-owned, local small business by transitioning ownership of the Italian specialty market to the next generation.
One year after commemorating its 75th anniversary, Cardona’s Market will officially welcome its third generation to carry on the family tradition. Current patriarch Robert Cardona, Sr. will pass along ownership of the Delaware Avenue neighborhood institution to his three sons.
Founded by Augusto Cardona in October 1945, Cardona’s Market has been a centerpiece of the Albany community and a regional destination for fine Italian imports and traditional cooking since welcoming customers to its original storefront on Hamilton Street. Following moves to North Swan Street and Morton Avenue, the market last relocated in 1978 to its current site on Delaware Avenue and in 2006 underwent a significant expansion.
With a combined 85 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, the new ownership team has a unique vision for evolving the market they grew up in while maintaining its commitment to scratch cooking, high-quality products and exemplary customer service.
“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as the steward of a market whose success is so deeply rooted in our family’s collective history,” said Robert Cardona, Sr., who will remain an active and visible presence in the market. “Cardona’s is synonymous with family and, just as I worked alongside my own father, it has been tremendous to see my sons carry on this family and neighborhood tradition. I look forward to seeing how they embrace the past while using their extensive hospitality backgrounds to apply a modern twist to the Cardona’s experience.”
The new ownership team includes:
- Anthony Cardona, who has been directly involved in all aspects of the market’s day-to-day operations for more than 15 years;
- August Cardona, founding partner of acclaimed restaurants L’Artusi, Anfora and dell’anima in Manhattan’s West Village;
- Robert Cardona, Jr., the creative force behind the Cardona’s kitchen as the market’s executive chef and a graduate of the Schenectady County Community College culinary program;
- And T.J. Conti, a longtime family friend who grew up with the brothers in Albany and serves as a partner in August Cardona’s Manhattan restaurants.
“On behalf of the new ownership team, we are thrilled to begin this journey with a market so special to our family and beloved by the Capital Region,” said Robert Cardona, Jr. “While this is a new phase for us, we remain fully committed to offering the same high-quality products, homemade Italian specialties and personalized, warm approach that Cardona’s was built upon. We’re excited to blend these traditions with the modern conveniences and services sought by today’s customers.
While the market has long maintained a loyal following, Cardona’s has experienced a significant increase in demand over the past year as families have sought elevated at-home dining experiences during the pandemic.
The new ownership team plans to capitalize on this success by increasing its robust offering of fresh-from-the-kitchen dishes, including restaurant-quality grab-and-go meals such as homemade lasagna, eggplant parmesan, sauces and meatballs – the latter a recipe which dates back generations in the Cardona family. These meal solutions will complement Cardona’s complete menu of hand-crafted sandwiches, artisan salads, aromatic soups and fresh-baked bread.
For more than 75 years, the Cardona family has provided Capital Region residents with top-quality Italian products, including meats, cheeses, olives, olive oils, vinegars, pastas and pantry staples. Cardona’s customers also enjoy a full-scale butcher shop offering all-natural beef, chicken and house made sausage alongside a selection of fresh produce and the market’s famous homemade sauces. Specialty baked goods, cookies, cakes and desserts are made fresh in-house daily.
Additionally, the market offers a full-range of custom catering services for a wide variety of events and celebrations.
Cardona’s Market is located at 340 Delaware Avenue in Albany. Current hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The market is closed on Sundays.
For more information about Cardona’s Market, call 518-434-4838 or visit CardonasMarket.com.