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O L D * W O R L D * S H O P P I N G 1 9 0 7 The Early Years: 1907-1941  |
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O L D * W O R L D * S H O P P I N G 1 9 0 7 The Early Years: 1907-1941 |
Fortino's opened for business in 1907 in Muskegon, MI, near the present location of the Frauenthal Theater. By that point, Louis Fortino had traveled halfway around the globe in search of a better life in the New World. He was born March 28, 1878, in Sant' Ippolito - a tiny village in Calabria, Italy. His wife, Chiara Quintierri, was born in the same village on May 15, 1879. They were married in 1899, and their first son arrived approximately 1 year later.
1900 found young Louis at a great turning point in history. Opportunity no longer existed in the Old World, and he now needed to provide for a family. So, like so many other immigrants, he turned his sights to a better life in America. With little more than a suitcase, he headed to Buenos Aires, Argentina, alone in the hopes of establishing himself and raising enough money to send for his family. He remained there for 3 years during which he worked on the Pampas as a Goucho (cowboy) and was only able to travel home once. He sent nearly everything he earned back to his new bride.
Louis's fortunes took a turn for the better in 1903. United States immigration laws of the time set strict quotas on the number of Visas extended to Italians lacking a trade or sponsor. Luckily, a friend named Joseph Fabiano, who started a fruit business in Holland, Michigan, that year, helped him find employment. His first job was with the Veneklasen brick yard in Zeeland. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Donnelly & Kelley glassworks (now Donnelly glass) of Holland where he worked from 1903 to 1907.
In 1907, he happened into a little fruit and cigar shop in Muskegon. He asked the owner about business. The owner was also an immigrant trying to earn money to send for his family. He'd grown tired of the effort and had decided to return to Italy. He said to Louis, "For 25 dollars, I'd sell the place." Fortino's was born.
Louis did well at the little cigar shop, and by 1911 he'd finally saved enough money to send for Chiara and his son, Frank. In that same year, he got out of the cigar business and purchased a larger fruit and vegetable store from Charlie Spadifore located at 126 Washington St. in Grand Haven, MI. Their second son, Paul, was born shortly thereafter in 1913. They had five children in all that survived past childhood. In addition to Frank, who later moved out West and died in 1975, and Paul; they had Mike of Grand Haven; Mary (Fortino) Pontarelli of Grand Haven, who still works at the store; and Alphonse, who died in 1937 at the age of 17 from a tragic football injury at Grand Haven High School.
Upon moving to Grand Haven, Louis made several changes to the business he'd purchased from Mr. Spadifore. He renamed it the Grand Haven Fruit Co. and expanded from retail produce to include wholesale. He became the supplier for many of the small grocers in the West Michigan area.
The Roaring '20's were a prosperous time for America, and Louis prospered with the country. He began construction of a new building just down the block at 114 Washington St. Construction was completed in 1923, and he rented the space to other businesses for several years. In 1930, a fire severely damaged Fortino's at 126 Washington, and he decided to move his business to its current location at 114.
Louis & Chiara continued to run the store until it was purchased by their son, Paul, and his new wife, Mary Jane, in 1941. Chiara died shortly thereafter in 1943. Louis continued on in failing health until November 30, 1957.
History
Paul & Mary Jane Fortino 1941-1977
Kenneth & Margaret (Fortino) Michlitsch
1977-
