DiBruno Bros. - Cheese Spreads

As with so many Italian immigrants in the 1930's, Danny and Joe Di Bruno, along with their brothers and sisters, came to Philadelphia through Ellis Island in search of the American Dream. They came to America where rumor had it that the streets were paved with gold, but upon arriving to Philadelphia's 9th Street Italian Market they soon found only cobblestones. With only 3rd grade educations, their willingness to work endless hours, and their entrepreneurial spirit, the brothers put everything on the line--which wasn't much--and opened up the Di Bruno Bros. Grocery Store at 930 S. 9th Street. Danny would often say, "We didn't have much money, but a smile doesn't cost you anything!" The Di Bruno commitment to making our customers smile is still alive and well today.

After 25 years of serving the neighborhood, Danny and Joe had established their store as a convenient destination for groceries and some imported foods. But they soon realized the emergence of the big chain supermarkets could jeopardize their humble, neighborhood grocery business. During a vacation to Switzerland where Danny sampled some of world's best cheese, he was inspired to reinvent Di Bruno Bros. into a gourmet cheese shop, and so was born Di Bruno Bros. "House of Cheese". Cured meats, thousands of pounds of aged provolone, and imported cheeses from Italy and around the world hung from the ceiling, filling the 700 sq. foot store. This collage of delicious products and intoxicating aromas made Di Bruno's the destination of choice for culinary enthusiasts throughout Philadelphia.