'He would just watch people light up': Son, shoppers remember Teddy Glorioso

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The son of Teddy Glorioso, the co-founder of a beloved East Side Italian grocery store, said he believes his father will be remember for the relationships he built and maintained in his 95 years of life. 

Michael Glorioso spoke to CBS 58 at Brady Street specialty store Tuesday afternoon. Teddy Glorioso, along with his brothers, Joe and Eddie, opened Glorioso's Italian Market in 1946. Teddy was last living co-founder before his death on April 17.

The Glorioso family sold the store to the Presta family from Illinois last summer, and they've vowed to keep the store how people have always known it. Eventually, the goal will be to expand the Glorioso brand.

Michael said Tuesday his father supported the sale, and he believed the Prestas were the right family to take over the business as Michael, the longtime general manager, eases into retirement.

Throughout the 78 years the Glorioso family owned the iconic establishment, Michael said his father's ultimately legacy is how he connected with generations of shoppers over the span of nearly eight decades.

"He would share stories with them that they never heard," Michael said. "He'd go 'Oh, I remember your grandpa when I grew up next to him in the Third Ward. He used to do this and do that, and oh what great guy he was.' He would just watch people light up and get teary eyed."

Shoppers at the store Tuesday reflected on how Teddy made the feel over their many visits.

"He's so friendly. So friendly," Brooklyn Salaz said. "He was so nice to us."

Salaz said she came to the store after hearing about Glorioso's death. For she and others, it was the flavors and friendliness that kept them coming back.

"I come here for my candies, my meat, my cheese," Salaz said.

Even those who haven't been coming their entire lives have grown fond of the business. Holly Haebig brought her eight-year-old son, Phineas Wake, to the store after school Tuesday. She said it's not uncommon for them to stop in multiple times during the week for an afternoon or early evening snack.

"Everybody that works here is just friendly and down to earth," Haebig said. "And the food is consistent and yummy."

"They should try the bread and the pesto," Wake offered when asked for recommendations.

Michael said even at the age of 95, Teddy was still constantly talking business. At one point, the Gloriosos were operating several businesses at once, including Trio's Pizza on Brady Street, and Gold Imports, where Teddy still made calls up until his final days.

"Him and I would sit outside in the lawn chairs and we'd talk," Michael said. "And the phone would ring and he'd be like 'OK, let me make some phone calls. I'll get back to you, and I'll take care of that for you.'"

Glorioso's Italian Market opened on Valentine's Day, so perhaps it's most fitting Michael believes his dad will be best remembered for the way he loved his family, his employees and his community.

"The business is gonna go on, and the people will be able to still share in what they accomplished, the brothers," Michael said. "But dad, I think, really stood for so much more, for himself."

A visitation for Glorioso has been scheduled for May 8, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Jackson St. from 10 a.m. to noon, followed by the funeral Mass at noon. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Teddy’s name may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.