Altomonte's opens its newest shop in Warminster. Here's what you'll find
Franca Grispino and her husband, Michael, had no idea what dreams awaited them when they first opened Mike’s Meat Shop in 1971.
The young couple, who had emigrated from Altomonte, Italy to the U.S. in 1969, were living in an apartment above a small corner store in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia for a couple of years, when the shop’s owner decided to sell.
“We took a big chance and said let’s do it,” Franca recalled.
Mike’s Meats, grew to become more than a butcher shop, as Franca and Michael offered the Italian specialties and products they had loved and missed. Then in 1980, the couple moved to Bucks County and opened a store in Warminster, changing the name to Altomonte’s Italian Market and later adding the Doylestown location in 2006.
Now, more than 50 years later, Altomonte’s is expanding once again with the opening its newest shop — Alto Bakery & Caffè on Street Road in Warminster.
New coffee shop opens in Levittown: The Bridge coffee shop aims to bring Levittown community together one cup at a time
“We wanted to bring to the community here the life in Italy,” said Franca, who worked side-by-side with her husband for 48 years before he passed away four years ago.
Today, Franca owns and operates Altomonte’s alongside her children, Maria Grispino Nappi and Vince Grispino. And with nine grandchildren, ranging from 10 to 26 years old, it has become a three-generation family business.
Growing Altomonte’s into what it is now, far exceeds what they imagined all those years ago in Philadelphia, but Franca said it came down to dedication and good timing.
“We did the right steps at the right time. It took hard work and passion, and we raised our kids here to understand that, too,” she said. “We also followed what our customers wanted and kept it close to where we came from.”
How does Alto Bakery & Caffè differ from Altomonte’s?
Altomonte’s is a full market, butcher shop, deli and bakery, offering Italian products, meats, cheeses, prepared foods, wine and coffee.
In comparison, Alto provides a quick and convenient way to enjoy an Italian experience on the go. The small shop is lined with glass cases displaying fresh baked goods, like Roman-style pizza, pizzettas, breakfast pizzas, focaccia breads, croissants, bagels, sandwiches and a unique assortment of colorful desserts.
Soups, customized pizzas, Italian sodas, specialty espresso drinks, drip coffee, cold brew coffee, Italian hot chocolate and teas are also available. Gelato will be added to the menu in the near future.
New owners for Fireside Inn: After 45 years, Fireside is under new ownership. What it means for the Feasterville staple
When is Alto Bakery & Caffè open?
Alto is open six days a week Monday through Saturday with the following hours:
Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m; and 4 to 8 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Go: 560 Street Road, Warminster; 267-965-2586; altobakery.com
Readers vote on favorite pizza shops: This Bucks County shop was voted best in our Pizza Week poll. What to know before you go
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Altomonte's rolls out new grab-and-go concept at Alto Bakery & Caffè
