Rulli Bros 11-05-2017

100 Year Anniversary

Special Commemorative Section

Sunday, November 5, 2017 • Special Advertising Section F •

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RULLI BROS.

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Rulli Bros. in business 100 years

By KALEA HALL khall@vindy.com

The scent of baking bread fills the store.

It travels to customers checking out the long rows of produce inside the Rulli Bros. store, as well as to those picking up fresh cheeses and meats.

The smell, the look and the feel of this Italian speciality grocery store reflect a quality that has kept customers coming back for 100 years.

Frank Rulli, as he walks up the stairs inside Rulli Bros. on South Avenue in Boardman, says the century went by quickly.

Frank, in black pants, a white shirt and black apron, still works 90 hours a week, his wife, Louise, says. Frank, who doesn’t reveal his age, runs his stores in Boardman and Austintown with the help of Louise, his sons and more than 100 workers.

“He does the overseeing of everything,” Louise says. “He has the most knowledge of everyone. He knows what produce is coming out. He knows what the best quality is.”

Frank knows it all because he grew up in the business.

Frank’s father, Nicola, at age 14 came to America in 1916 from Cirella, Italy, with his older brother, who also was named Frank. The brothers settled in Youngstown. A year after they arrived, they opened their store at 345 E. Federal St. downtown. Soon, they opened another location at 21 E. Federal St. and another location on Champion Street.

Since that time, Rulli’s has remained focused on quality, service and value.

The quality came in what vendors were used. Produce included selections from Nicola’s own garden.

The service came in having employees behind the counter cut meats and slice bread for customers.

The value came in the low prices.

Working directly with vendors has given an independent grocery store like Rulli’s the ability to negotiate the best prices for its customers.

That close relationship with customers also has been a key focus in the first 100 years.

“During the Depression, a lot of people owed them money and they overlooked it,” Louise said.

In the late 1930s, Rulli’s settled on one location at 21 E. Federal St., which is where Frank Rulli learned the business

Rulli Bros. celebrates 100 years.

from Nicola, a hard-working family man who always had an upbeat attitude. Nicola made sure the area’s demand for Italian foods was met, even if that meant delivering them as far as West Virginia.

“I was fortunate,” Frank said. “[My father] taught me well. He made sure I had knowledge in every department.”

Nicola Rulli died when Frank was just 14. As the oldest boy, Frank had to step up and help his mother, Dale, run the store. Frank’s seven siblings also helped out.

Frank never thought about doing anything else but running the store his fam-

ROBERT K. YOSAY | THE VINDICATOR

ily built.

As he continued his education at East High School, Frank ran the store. The school worked with him so he could finish the courses necessary to graduate.

He had a special driver’s license at a young age so he could go to Cleveland to buy produce.

Frank and his mother had their eyes on a new, much larger location at 35 E. Federal St., and in the late 1950s, they made the move.

“You were able to offer more product,” Frank said. “We operated there until the See 100 YEARS, Page F3

AIA would like to Congratulate

Rulli Brothers

on 100 Years of Service To Your Community

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100 YEARS Continued from Page F2

urban renewal. We were one of the last buildings.”

By 1970, urban renewal pushed Rulli’s into the suburbs. Frank had some concern about customers following, but that didn’t last long.

“People just gravitated to us,” he said.

Rulli’s took its concept of a service deli counter and a large variety of produce and brought it to the new location on South Avenue near Mathews Road in 1971.

When the location first opened, it was 7,500 square feet, but it was so busy that Frank and Louise had to expand to 16,000 square feet.

“Most of our old customers still came, but the whole surrounding community also came.” Louise said.

In 1988, the Austintown Rulli Bros. location was added because customers were asking for it.

“We felt we were so busy that it warranted going to the other side of town,” Louise said.

In the mid-2000s, the Rullis decided to build a new Boardman location. Their son, Frank Jr., an architect, designed their store at 8025 South Ave. The location was built in 2008 and opened in March 2009.

RULLI BROS. “It has been a great addition,” Louise said.

Inside the store, pictures along the wall tell the history of Rulli’s. There’s Nicola with the garden and his children, a bustling downtown scene and Rulli’s purchasing livestock from 4-H at the Canfield Fair, which is still done today.

“I think [Nicola and Frank] would be happy that we carried on the legacy,” Frank said.

Frank and Louise’s four sons all take part in the business. Frank Jr. is the architect who also helps run the deli at times. Nicola is an attorney in California, but he helps when needed. Michael and Mark are involved in the day-to-day operations at Rulli Bros.

“We have the fourth generation coming up,” Louise said.

Ethan Rulli, Frank and Louise’s grandson, does the advertisements for the business. Their granddaughter, Hayden Rulli, at age 10 already is ready to work the register when the time comes.

The Rulli family is already prepared for another 100 years. Louise credits her husband for the continued success.

He knows what people want, he knows when it will be fresh and how much to order because of his experience in the business.

“There’s nothing like experience,” she said.

THE VINDICATOR | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2017

Congratulations!

Here’s to Another 100 Years!

425 Victoria Rd., Austintown, OH

Congratulations on

100 Years!

Buon Anniversario e congratulazioni per centi anni nel settore della drogheria!

(Happy anniversary and congratulations on 100 years in the grocery business!)

From All Your Friends at Dean Dairy We are proud to be your dairy provider and look forward to many more years in partnership with the Rulli family.

Dean Dairy Products Co. Subsidiary of Dean Foods 1890 Oneida Lane Sharpsville, PA 16150 800-942-8096

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Bravoo to Rulli Bros Brrros on Greaatt Years!

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RULLI BROS.

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Family building blocks add more than structure to Rulli Bros. design

By NATALIE WRIGHT nscott@vindy.com

The South Avenue location of Rulli Bros. opened in 2008. Fitting in what has always been a family business, the Rulli family was involved in every aspect of its design. Frank Rulli Jr., a local architect as well as son of Rulli Bros. owner Frank Rulli Sr., was the design lead on the location.

“It was a unique situation, where the owners were my family,” said Frank Rulli Jr. “I was working on a project I was intimately familiar with. I was able to work on it with my parents and my family.”

This closeness to the project was important to Frank Rulli Jr. He emphasized his enjoyment of being able to see the project through from the beginning, when the family discussed the store’s needs and how to plan for them, until the end, when the building was in the construction phase.

“It was great because I got to be involved from the beginning to the end,” he said. “It gave me the ability to really understand the project.”

Frank Rulli Jr. said that he had a great team of architectural and engineering

firms who were involved in the design.

He noted that many people think that an architect is the only one involved in designing a project, but that the reality is that each part of a project is designed by a different expert in that field.

For the South Avenue location, Faniro Architects, Inc. was the architecture firm and Ronald Faniro was the principal architect. J.M. Verostko, Inc. did the plumbing and mechanical engineering. Electrical engineering was done by C.L. Firestone Inc., while structural engineering was done by Fisher Engineering Associates. Rounding out the team

was WRLC, who did the civil engineering for the project.

There were four main phases in the design of the project. The first was what Frank Rulli Jr. referred to as programming. In this phase, the Rulli family and the architects discussed what they wanted to accomplish with the new building.

They knew they wanted the location to be a blend of the past and the future, all of the comfort and familiarity for customers familiar with the Austintown location, but in a more contemporary and See BUILDING, Page F5

The Rulli Bros. location on South Avenue in Boardman opened in 2008. It has been an area favorite for fresh meats, produce and more since opening its doors.

Specialty Italian ingredients can be purchased at Rulli Bros. If you are seeking a special type of olive oil, Italian cookie or any other specialy item, Rulli Bros. is your one-stop location.

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RULLI BROS.

BUILDING

ing deeper into each of the store’s departments and figuring out what could be done in each department to support Continued from Page F4 them. It has been more than 30 years sleek building. since the Rulli family last built a store, so The second phase involved look- this was a chance for them to build a new

A plentiful deli section is offered at Rulli Bros. From fresh-sliced meats and cheese to a variety of olives, the deli section is a treat for the taste buds.

THE VINDICATOR | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2017

store that really met the business’s needs.

Because of this, some departments, such as the Italian specialties, were enlarged, and new departments were added, such as the bakery. They were even able to design a back room that worked better for them, and to add more storage spaces.

The third phase included solidifying the details of the design. After that, it was on to the last phase—construction.

The design was inspired by the old marketplaces, according to Frank Rulli Jr. He said that one of the ways that is shone is the light coming down from above. Light is key to the South Avenue location. One of its most unique features is the translucent exterior windows, with

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allow natural light to filter into the store.

In fact, that is Frank Rulli Jr.’s favorite aspect of the design.

“The natural light is my favorite aspect,” he said. “I love the presence of sunshine, which makes the space feel less artificial. It gives it a more natural feel.”

Rulli said that he felt the vision for the design was fully realized in the construction of the store. From the function of each department to the overall feel of warmth in the store, the idea of family is present throughout the space. It is a feeling shared between the members of the Rulli family, but also between the family and the customers that frequent the store.

Congratulations on your First 100 Years!

We want to express our....

CONGRATULATIONS Rulli Bros. On Your 100th Anniversary w w w. s u p e r i o r b e v e r a g e g r o u p . c o m

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VINDY HOMES

RULLI BROS.

MICHAEL, ETHAN AND HAYDEN RULLI

VINDY HOMES

THE VINDICATOR | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2017

FRANK RULLI SR. AND ETHAN RULLI NICK RULLI

FRANK RULLI

ETHAN RULLI

FRANK SR., ETHAN AND HAYDEN RULLI

MICHAEL, MARK, NICK AND FRANK RULLI SR.

NICK, LOUISE, MARK, HAYDEN, ETHAN, FRANK SR. AND MICHAEL RULLI

RULLI BROS. AUSTINTOWN

FRANK SR., MICHAEL, HAYDEN AND ETHAN RULLI

NICK, MARK, FRANK SR. AND MICHAEL RULLI

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F8 THE VINDICATOR | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2017

RULLI BROS.

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Rulli’s Wine gives a taste of Italy

By NATALIE WRIGHT nscott@vindy.com

Congratulations Rulli Bros!

PURE RAW UNFILTERED Local Honey

1481 BACON AVE. EAST PALESTINE, OH, 44413

Rulli Bros. has two wine labels, which also carry the name of Rulli Bros., that it carries within its stores. The second of the two, which are available in 750 milliliter bottles, is imported from Sardinia, a large Italian island.

“This is the second wine to carry the Rulli Bros. label,” Frank Rulli Jr. said in a recent interview. “We have carried our red table wine from California for years. One day a broker came to us with an offer to bring over the wine from Sardinia..”

Rulli said that the family hadn’t really considered offering a second wine under the label prior to that. The decision to do it came from having the opportunity presented to them.

He went on to say that the red wine is made from Cannonau grapes, a grape that is particular to Sardinia.

“We discovered later that the Cannonau grape is considered part of the Super Blue Zone group because it has a large amount of antioxidants. Certain parts of the world are known for their longevity and this grape is something they contribute to that,” he said.

The white wine is made with the Vermentino grape, one of the most popular grapes in Sardinia.

Rulli said that both wines tend to be on the dry side and that both are table wines. In the red, the overall taste is one of fruitiness, and in it you might find notes of blackberries or dark raspberries.

Rulli said that in his personal opinion, the white is of a similar flavor to that of

Sauvignon blanc.

Rulli noted that while the family enjoys both wines equally, it is more important to them to get good feedback from the customers, which can only be aided by the versatility of the wines.

“Both wines pair well with cooking,” he said. He concluded by noting that in the summer, he enjoys using the white to make a tasty sangria.

This was the first wine offered under the Rulli Bros. wine label. Since then, the label has grown to offer more selections in different sizes, including two made in Sardinia, Italy.

Thank You For 100 Years Of Service And Our Great Partnership LIPARI FOODS 26661 Bunert Road, Warren, MI.

The Rulli Bros. white wine is made from Vermentino grapes, one of the most popular grapes grown on the island of Sardinia in Italy.

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RULLI BROS.

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Congratulations

When Youíre Looking For Quality And Value, Look For This Label At Rulli Brothers.

Best yet products have been trusted by consumers since 1893 to provide outstanding value and premium quality.

Look For All Of Our Store Brands At Rulli Brothers ®

8025 South Ave., Boardman, OH 44511 · 330-726-0777 4331 Kirk Road, Austintown, OH 44511 · 330-799-3477 · www.rullibrothers.com

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F10 THE VINDICATOR | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2017

RULLI BROS.

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We are proud to celebrate your 100th Anniversary Caramel Sea Salt Caramel Pecan Snapper Pretzels Chookies Clusters Melt-Aways Marshmallow

Congratulations

430 Youngstown-Poland Road • Struthers, Ohio 44471 Phone: (330) 755-5727 - Fax: (330) 755-7766 http://www.giannios.com

Spanning both sides of a full aisle, any type of noodle for your needs can be found at Rulli Bros, including wheat and gluten-free options.

The future is bright for Rulli Bros.

By Natalie Wright nscott@vindy.com

Congratulations To Rulli Brothers On Celebrating Your 100 Year Anniversary!

EST. 1917

Celebrating 100 Years

“QUALITY PRODUCTS, WITH FULL SERVICE AT LOW PRICES” Thank You For Your Long Standing Business Partnership!

Rulli Bros., a local staple for many in the Mahoning Valley, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

The family-run business has had a full, rich history, both in forming Rulli Bros. and in the century since.

“My great uncle Frank came from Cirella (town) in Reggio Calabria, Italy in 1898,” Michael Rulli wrote in a recent email interview. “He arrived in New York City for a month and headed to Youngstown, Ohio.”

He then sent for his brothers. Among them was Nick, the youngest brother and Michael’s grandfather. The brothers sought and achieved jobs in the steel mills.

“By the turn of the century they had saved up enough money to buy property on Early Road in Youngstown’s east side,” wrote Michael.

Michael went on to say that his family had raised produce fields in Italy for decades prior to coming to the United States. They purchased property and built a cottage. It was a natural move for them to then develop the land, which became a farm with more than a dozen employees. They sold their produce on street corners in Youngstown from 19031916.

They opened their first store on Federal Street in 1917. Throughout the following 40 years, they went on to open four stores downtown and two restaurants, plus the Uptown Theater.

“My grandfather had all of our business and the homestead built with yellow brick, which is still the case 100 years

later,” Michael wrote.

The original owners all passed away by the 1950s. Michael’s father, another Frank Rulli, took over the business at the age of 14. He even received a driver’s license at that age from the Ohio governor at that time, the only one in the state’s history.

In a difficult turn for Rulli Bros., the City of Youngstown implemented an urban renewal program, pushing the Rulli businesses out of downtown. The Rulli’s bounced back quickly, however, and in 1970 a new location on the corner of Mathews Road and South Avenue was built. In 1988, the location on the corner of Kirk Road and Racoon Road in Austintown opened. In 2009, the newest store location on the corner of Maple Avenue and South Avenue opened.

Family has always been at the center of the Rulli legacy, and three out of four of Frank’s sons are still involved in the Rulli Bros. locations to this day. Nick, the eldest brother, is a lawyer in California. Frank Jr. is an architect on Federal Street and he works in the stores on the weekend. Michael and Mark, the youngest son, are in charge of daily operations at Rulli Bros., although their parents are still involved in day-to-day operations at the locations.

Michael writes that family values play a major role in the business as well, and they enjoy extending those family values through working alongside their employees.

“Every family member can perform every job in the company,” he wrote. “I ring the registers every day.”

See RULLI, Page F11

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RULLI BROS.

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From The

Bell-View Family to the

Rulli Family...

CONGRATULATIONS

CONGRATULATIONS

ON

100 YEARS!

100 Years is a Milestone!

A wall of spices is the first thing to greet customers after entering the South Ave. store.

RULLI

Continued from Page F10

All Rulli Bros. locations close for holidays and on Sundays, both out of a religious aspect and in respect to their employees. Additionally, Michael takes an active role in making sure Rulli Bros. can offer fair prices to their customers.

“Our pricing is some of the lowest in the entire country,” he said. “ I verify this daily on several websites.”

Michael also noted that humility and

attention to the customer is the most important goal for Rulli Bros.

The family takes pride in the business’s operations, something that shows with each passing year. Rulli Bros. may further expand in the future, but it is something that must be considered carefully and responsibly, according to Michael.

“We grow slowly because we pay for our future with our money to ensure that there is a future,” he said.

With a successful 100 years behind them, the Rulli family and the Rulli Bros. businesses are looking to have an even brighter future ahead of them.

Nickles Bakery Girard, OH

Classic American Snacks

We want to wish Rulli Bros. a Happy 100 Years!

It is a pleasure working with you!

The fresh meats available in Rulli’s butcher shop are a customer favorite. Steaks, ground beef, organic chicken breast and more can be found at the counter.

www.wisesnacks.com

F12 THE VINDICATOR | SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2017

America’s Italian

RULLI BROS.

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Fresh Market Since 1917 KIRK at RACCOON • AUSTINTOWN

330-799-3477

8025 SOUTH AVE • BOARDMAN

330-726-0777

Mon-Fri 9am-8pm • Sat 9am-7pm • Sun CLOSED

To all our loyal customers We appreciate every one of you and thank you for shopping Rulli’s.

Looking forward to the next 100 years of serving you.

Sincerely, Frank, Mike & Mark Rulli