ST. LOUIS – Married in 1929, John and Angela Viviano’s wedding photo rests regally above the register of the shop they opened on The Hill.

“My grandfather came over from Sicily, the town of Terrasini, and opened here in 1950,” said third-generation store owner John Viviano.

Seventy-five years later, his grandson and store owner John Viviano says family, food and fun always fueled the business’s success.

“We were doing wholesale business with every Italian restaurant and grocery store. Anything within a couple hundred miles,” Viviano said.

He says rising costs and competition in the last several years hit the business hard.

“That everyday foot traffic of people coming in because they need that everyday meal or dinner or cold cuts, it just really doesn’t happen anymore,” Viviano said.

On May 3, Viviano’s on The Hill will close. 

“(It) always reminded me of my grandfather’s house. It’s been very special coming here. It meant so much not just to me, but to a lot of people around here. It was their grocery store to go to. Meet people here. Great bread. Great salsiccia. Really good place. (I) hate to see it go,” said Don Logaglio, who has been a customer for more than 50 years.

Viviano can’t share much yet about the deal in place or the new owners but says the spot his store occupies in the neighborhood is in good hands.

Long after the last slice of salami is served and the family pictures are packed, John believes the Viviano legacy will last.

“We want to thank everybody in St. Louis and the surrounding metropolitan area. We want to thank all of our patrons that are here with us and have passed,” Viviano said.