History

In the early 1920’s there were four Italian Markets within a two block area of Alpine Street. These markets serviced a predominantly Italian immigrant community that had adopted the current “Victor Heights” area as a working-class Italian enclave. Eastside Market is the last remaining original Italian market and while communities have changed over the years, this iconic location at the corner of Alpine and Figueroa Terrace remains unchanged. Originally opening in 1929, Eastside Market was a grocery and meat market where wheels of cheese, sliced meats, vegetables and of course hundreds of pounds and multiple varieties of pasta were sold each and every day. As community demand shifted during the 1930’s and 1940’s, Eastside expanded the business joining forces with “Pontrelli & Laricchia Sausage Company” and together they capitalized on the demand for wholesale and retail foods. This change in business model not only allowed the business to flourish, but it also helped Eastside Market survive post-depression era economic uncertainty during these years.