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Anthony’s Italian Coffee House, 903 S. Ninth St., is but one of the handful of arms that is the Anastasio family food dynasty. Anthony Anastasio was somewhat of a trailblazer when he opened his coffee shop in the heart of the Italian Market in 1995 — it was when the city was empty and Starbucks hadn’t initiated worldwide domination.
“Years ago, there were lots of cafes in the area but by the ’90s everything was closed — that’s where we started,” Anastasio said.
“People looked at us like we’re crazy,” he added, and back then most everybody still said “expresso” and marveled that he’d fancify coffee: “That’s the place that has the $1.50 coffee” is what doubters would say. “There was an educational process.”
His family’s been in the market, where he lives, for about 100 years.
“I am the fourth generation of Anastasios on the market. The coffee shop is located in my grandfather’s original store, which he opened back in the ’30s,” the savvy businessman explained.
The family business includes way more than coffee, of course.
“We celebrate food – seafood, produce, coffee, chocolate and gelati, it’s a celebration of our heritage and our food,” he said.
Anastasio said that years ago, every retail store had a kitchen in the back on the first floor, and it’s where his great grandmother reigned supreme.
“Coffee was always a staple in our home – the coffee pot was always on and they were making nice, strong espresso,” he recalled.
Families who’ve been in and around the market their whole lives stop in and share stories of days past. But it’s the newer generationals that are sipping and slugging his brew with critical mass.
“That’s the future,” he said. “Folks in their twenties, thirties and mid-forties are the folks that are the ones keeping us going year-round.”
Black ‘N Brew and Dante’s Espresso Bar and Café placed second and third, respectively.
Staff Writer Bill Chenevert at bchenevert@southphillyreview.com or ext. 117.
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186382491
