In this 1940s-era snapshot, Dominic Fante (second from the left) poses with members of his neighborhood Boy Scout troop in front of his family’s now-famous storefront. The scoutmaster and community leader helped shape the identity of the business, which has evolved since his grandfather, a carpenter, opened Fante’s to sell his furniture back in 1906. As times and the needs of the neighborhood shoppers changed, the store became something of a gift shop, specializing in German-made crystal and china. During the height of World War II’s anti-German sentiment, Dominic’s mother, Carmela, urged her son to swap out those imported items for something everyone needed—pots and pans. And while the store’s merchandise may have changed substantially over the decades, the iconic storefront looks much the same as ever.

FANTE’S KITCHEN SHOP
1006 S. 9th St.
215.922.5557
fantes.com