Cardona’s Market, a family-owned Italian specialty market and caterer for more than 75 years, today announced the acquisition of Roma Foods Importing Company. Roma Foods’ Latham and Saratoga Springs markets are set to begin operating under the Cardona’s banner in June.
Cardona’s Market, which was founded by Augusto Cardona in October 1945, will continue to operate its original flagship market on Delaware Avenue in Albany.
Cardona’s recently welcomed its third generation of family owners to carry on its tradition as a regional destination for fine Italian imports and traditional cooking. The new ownership team includes Anthony Cardona, August Cardona, Robert Cardona, Jr., T.J. Conti and Kevin Garry.
Roma Foods is being sold by Frank Bolognino and his brothers John, Peter and Paul, the second-generation owners of the Italian specialty market, which was founded in Downtown Albany in 1946 by their father Frank D. Bolognino. In addition to Frank Sr., the original ownership team included cousin Vince Pellegrino and brother Jim Bolognino.
“Frank and the Bolognino family have built an outstanding business in Roma Foods and we are honored by the trust they have placed in us to continue the tradition,” says Cardona’s Market Owner August Cardona. “Our shared heritage as family-owned businesses and passion for serving the community will continue to guide us as we look to the future. We look forward to building upon their tremendous success and introducing Latham and Saratoga residents to the quality and convenience of Cardona’s Market.”
The Roma Foods’ Latham and Saratoga markets will undergo a series of renovations during the transition to Cardona’s Market. These will include the addition of Cardona’s signature hot table, featuring more than a dozen dishes which rotate daily, such as classic Italian family recipes as well as daily and seasonal specials. In addition to continuing to offer an array of fine Italian import goods, both markets will feature Cardona’s selection of restaurant-quality grab-and-go meals, artisan sandwiches and salads, homemade sauces and meatballs. Cardona’s also plans to add full-scale commercial kitchens to both locations to accommodate catering orders and operations.
The Latham market, located at 9 Cobbee Road, and Saratoga market, located at 222 Washington Street, will remain open during the transition.
Cardona’s Market will retain all staff at both locations and plans to announce additional job opportunities in the coming months.
The acquisition will more than double Cardona’s regional presence and will expand the accessibility of its high-quality Italian products, scratch cooking and traditional fresh-from-the-kitchen dishes to residents throughout the greater Capital Region.
“When we first began exploring opportunities to sell our family business, we were thrilled to hear that the Cardonas were looking to expand their own operations,” says Frank Bolognino, Jr., who plans to retire. “As long-tenured, family-owned local businesses, both Roma and Cardona’s share similar philosophies with an emphasis on quality products and exemplary service. On behalf of the entire Bolognino family, I’d like to thank our dedicated staff and valued customers, without whom we would not be where we are today.”
In the early 1960s, Roma Foods moved to Latham from Downtown Albany. Frank Bolognino, Jr. took over ownership and operations approximately a decade later following the passing of his father and retirement of his uncle Jim. A new store was built in 1978 across the street from the original Latham location on Cobbee Road off Route 9. The market added a second location on South Broadway in Saratoga in 1984, before expanding to its current location on Washington Street.
This development marks the next chapter in a nearly eight decade history between the Cardona and Bolognino families, which have long maintained a professional relationship. Frank Bolognino, Jr. has fond childhood memories of being dispatched from his family’s market in Downtown Albany to trade Italian goods with Cardona’s, which was located right down the street.
For more than 75 years, Cardona’s Market has provided Capital Region residents with top-quality Italian products, including meats, cheeses, olives, olive oils, vinegars, pastas and pantry staples. The market features a full selection of fresh-from-the-kitchen dishes, including restaurant-quality grab-and-go meals such as homemade lasagna, eggplant parmesan, sauces and meatballs. These meal solutions complement Cardona’s complete menu of hand-crafted sandwiches, artisan salads, aromatic soups and fresh-baked bread.
Customers also enjoy a full-scale butcher shop offering all-natural beef, chicken and house-made sausage alongside a selection of fresh produce and the market’s famous homemade sauces. Specialty baked goods, cookies, cakes and desserts are made fresh in-house daily. Additionally, the market offers a full-range of custom catering services for a wide variety of events and celebrations.
