How J.P. Graziano Reinvented Its 84-Year-Old Shop By Teaming With Rappers, Fashion Designers And Serving Up Late-Night Eats

Feb 14, 2022 679

BY: Mack Liederman

Jim Graziano never pictured rapper Freddie Gibbs passing out sandwiches at midnight behind the counter of his family’s 84-year-old Italian food importing and distribution business. His great-grandfather, Vincenzo Graziano, used to count the money behind that same wooden counter at 901 W. Randolph St. back in 1937 when he started J.P. Graziano Grocery, selling wholesale Italian products like olive oil, baccalà and pastas to other mom-and-pop shops in what is now known as the West Loop.

During Lollapalooza last year, the old-school store was the site of one of the city’s hottest afterparties. Jim Graziano teamed up with Gibbs, Los Angeles street designer Anwar Carrots and Chicago streetwear pioneer Joe Freshgoods for a midnight pop-up at the family-owned shop, selling limited-edition T-shirts featuring all of their brands. There were plenty of Italian subs to go around, too. 

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SOURCE: https://blockclubchicago.org

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