'Yes, yes, yes': Glorioso's changing ownership, but sausages will stay the same

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- After more than seven decades, Glorioso's Italian Market is changing ownership after being sold to a family in Illinois.

There are few things that bring people together.

"If you’re not Italian, it’s hard to explain. It’s a love. It goes from generation to generation," said Barry Sabasta, a longtime Glorioso’s customer.

Glorioso's has nailed that recipe. The longtime business began in 1946 when Joe, Eddie, and Teddy Glorioso opened the grocery store and deli. Teddy's son, Michael Glorioso, is now the general manager and runs the business located on Milwaukee's lower east side.

"We are very emotionally tied to our business," said Glorioso. "We’ve become a part of their family; they’ve become a part of our family."

Glorioso was barely five years old when his dad and uncles opened the business, but he remembers it being the heartbeat of their family.

“We didn’t set out to win awards. We didn’t set out to be iconic. We just came to work with old schoolwork ethic, family values, a community, and this is the result of it," said Glorioso.

At 71 years old, Glorioso says it's time for change.

“Going forward, you know, if something happens to me, then there is no store anymore. And that would be terrible," said Glorioso.

The family business has been sold to another family -- the Prestas. After immigrating from a small southern town in Italy called Valli, Alfredo Presta opened up a grocery business in Chicago. Presta's sons Domenico, Carmine, and Paolo now take care of the business known as Valli International Fresh Market.

Glorioso says the Presta family's story reminded Glorioso of his own family. He hopes they can help expand Glorioso's into multiple locations.

"We met them, and it felt like we were related," said Glorioso. “We’re not broken, we don’t need to be fixed. We’re just going forward in a bigger and better way.”

Customers say the change will take time to get used to.

“Come on down and see them. If you don’t, you’re going to miss out on something that was beautiful," said Sabasta.

"They've been working at this business for I don’t know, 60-70 years, so it’s well deserved," said customer Allison Lauer.

Glorioso has a promise.

"People keep asking, 'is the meatball staying the same, is the sausage, is the sauce?' And I’m like, 'yes, yes, yes.' Nothing’s changing," said Glorioso.

Ownership may look different, but inside, this market will always find a way to bring people together.

“Too many people have worked way too long, way too hard to get this family business and brand where it is today. It’s part of Milwaukee, and we want to make sure it stays that way," said Glorioso.