Gaudino's
Nonna Approved!
Gaudino’s blends a modern approach to casual Italian dining with a traditional market experience. Our success is measured by providing our customers with a uniquely positive experience at every visit.​
WHAT WE VALUE:
OUR CUSTOMERS
You make Gaudino’s come alive, and that’s why our commitment to quality and service is our highest priority. Whether dining in, carrying out, or browsing our market, we want you to have a satisfying experience every visit.
OUR TEAM
Our passion is food, plain and simple, and nothing is more important than loving what you do. At Gaudino’s, we believe that engaged and committed team members are key to creating the best possible experience for our customers.
OUR COMMUNITY
Our location and history in St. Clair Shores is what makes the Gaudino’s dream possible and it is our goal to serve and be active in the community.
OUR ENVIRONMENT
The quality of your experience is important to us, and providing a comfortable atmosphere is paramount to our success. We are committed to creating a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for our customers and our team members to enjoy.
The Team
JoMarie Amato
President & Co-Founder
Joe Beato
Executive Chef
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Bill Parker
Manager
Our Story
The original Gaudino’s Italian Market opened in the early 1940's on the corner of Mack and Drexel in Detroit by founder Peter Gaudino (aka Mr. Pete or “Poppy”). Mr. Pete came to Michigan from the town of Marsala, Italy in 1920 and opened the small corner market specializing in Italian food and products. Peter had two children, Dominic and Mary. Both children worked in the store at a young age. Dominic went on to college and left the business but Mary continued to work at the market. In 1949 Mary married Jack Genovesi and the operations of the business were taken over by them. In 1971, Jack and Mary commissioned the construction of the building located at 27919 Harper, relocating the market to St. Clair Shores. Jack and Mary had three children, John, Sandy, and JoMarie. John and Sandy joined their parents in the operation. In 1979, Sandy married Sal Rubino, and he also joined the business. From 1971 to 1988, Gaudino’s Italian Market was known as one of the premier Italian specialty markets on the east side and was famous for their house made Italian sausage.
JoMarie, Jack and Mary’s youngest daughter, worked at the store as well and there she met Thomas Amato, a resident of St. Clair Shores. Both JoMarie and Thomas worked at Gaudino’s on weekends and summers while they attended college. As fate would have it, they were married seven years after they met.
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In 1988, Jack decided to retire and the business was sold. After many years, the subsequent owner ceased operations and then the building sat vacant.
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In October of 2015, Thomas and JoMarie purchased the 27919 Harper building and began an intensive restoration project, originally just to clean up the building and property for general purpose use. However, as time went on, JoMarie quickly turned her attention to the idea of re-launching Gaudino’s, re-engineered as a modern Italian themed market-eatery. They pulled together an incredible and dedicated operating team led by Executive Chef Joe Beato and Manager Bill Parker, all who have lineage to either the original market or the Amato family. We are very excited to bring this destination project to the City of St. Clair Shores, on the original site, to serve residents and visitors.
La vita di breve mangiare bene
(Life’s short, eat well)
