Romano Fruit Stand
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According to a Des Moines Register article, Egidio Romano came to Des Moines from Italy by way of Omaha, Kansas City, and then St. Paul. Romano started his fruit stand in Des Moines in 1891 and eventually became the Secretary-Treasurer of the Italian Importing Company, a wholesale grocery. His fruit stand snuggled up under the staircase to a drugstore at 221 5th Street on what was the Harbach Block.
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Egidio Romano and Fruit Stand
Romano's Fruit Stand at 221 5th Street, Des Moines, under outside staircase with stencil: Dr. Miles' Nervine Heart Cure. Dr. Miles owned the drug store behind the stand. Pictured is Egidio Romano (right) and his fruit stand. Includes bananas and possibly a soda fountain. | Source: Historic Tour #1: Des Moines: Confluence of People and Resources. Des Moines Public Library, 1982.
Italian Importing Co.
Front facade of the Italian Importing Co. located at 422 Walnut Street. | Source: Cosulich, Gilbert. “How the Gates Opened: Stories of the Early Struggles of Successful Italians in Des Moines.” The Register and Leader, June 6, 1915. ~ Digital source: Newspapers.com
Romano Fruit Stand
Map indicates the location of Romano's Fruit State, located at 221 5th Street, shown in green. Outline of fruit stand seen under "Drugs, Oils, and Glass." | Source: Sanborn Fire Insurance Map from Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Sanborn Map Company, 1891. ~ Digital source: Library of Congress.
Italian Importing Company Advertisement
Advertisement for the Italian Importing Company with office at 319 Depot Street and grocery at 300 SW 4th Street, Des Moines, Iowa. Indicates: wholesale and retail dealers in groceries, wines, liquors, beer, and cigars. Exclusive agents for the celebrated Val Blatz and Monarch Beers as well as Italian imported delicacies, olive oil, romano, gogonzola, parmisano, and pecorino cheese, salami, garlic, macaroni. | Source: Advertisement: Italian Importing Company. R.L. Polk & Co.'s Des Moines city, Valley Junction and Polk County Directory: Des Moines, 1906. ~ Digital source: Internet Archive.
City Directory Entry for Italian Importing Company
Listing for Italian Importing Company. Peter Dapolonia, Pres.; Joseph Chiesa, V-Pres; Egidio Romano, Sec and Treas; Sole Agents for Val Blatz and Monarch Beers, Wholesale Wine and Liquors and Importers of Fancy Groceries, Olive Oils and Macaroni; Office 319 Depot; Saloons opp CRI & P Depot, 116 4th, 301 w so 4th, 520 Elm, 322 8th, Grocery 300 w so 4th; Warehouse 300 w so A. (See opp.) | Source: Entry: Italian Importing Company. R.L. Polk & Co.'s Des Moines city, Valley Junction and Polk County Directory: Des Moines, 1906. ~ Digital source: Internet Archive.Map
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