Di Rienzo Grocery And Deli In Ottawa Listed For Sale After 54 Years
- A real estate listing published on Thursday afternoon asks for approximately $2.9 million for the Di Rienzo Grocery & Deli in Ottawa's Little Italy.
- "We have decided that it was time, after 54 years, because otherwise you say, 'OK, we'll do it this year, we'll do it another year, we'll do it...
- The shop has been a fixture on Beech Street since the early 1970s.
A real estate listing published on Thursday afternoon asks for approximately $2.9 million for the Di Rienzo Grocery & Deli in Ottawa’s Little Italy. Owner Paolo Di Rienzo stated that it is time to step away from the establishment after 54 years in business.
"We have decided that it was time, after 54 years, because otherwise you say, ‘OK, we’ll do it this year, we’ll do it another year, we’ll do it another year.’ I think this is time," Di Rienzo said.
History of the Beech Street Shop
The shop has been a fixture on Beech Street since the early 1970s. Paolo Di Rienzo left Italy for Canada in 1967, and his family opened the store in 1973. It initially operated as a convenience store before area construction brought in hungry workers, prompting staff to begin preparing sandwiches and pasta.
The establishment built a loyal customer base, earning recognition for its food and friendliness. Di Rienzo attributes the popularity of the food to freshness, noting that ingredients are cut to order, customized, and paired with fresh bread delivered every morning.
The Real Estate Offering
The property listing describes the offering as an exceptional opportunity to acquire a piece of local history. According to the listing, the sale allows an entrepreneur, investor, or established operator to carry on the legacy of a recognizable independent food business while also securing ownership of the underlying property.
Di Rienzo noted that the selling process remains in its early stages, though he hopes the eventual buyer will keep the business operating at the location.