New Italian Market In Northville A 'Little Culinary Disney Land'

NORTHVILLE (WWJ) - The owners of a little slice of Italy have high hopes as they open up a big new store in Northville.

Cantoro Italian Market & Bakery is already legendary among some in metro Detroit; and manager Mike Larranaga says the just-opened 30,000 square-foot location — on Haggerty Road north of 5 Mile  — offers a whole lot more.

"We have cooking classes upstairs. We do complete banquets; I can seat 300," Larranaga told WWJ Newsradio 950's Marie Osborne. "I've got an underground cantina and we do winemaker dinners. We have wine lectures, single malt scotch and bourbon lectures. We have a wine club, beer club, cheese club, two dining clubs, two culinary clubs."

"Whether it's how to make pasta, the different styles of wine, fresh produce, different styles of food — everything here's an experience," he added. "It's kind of our little culinary Disney Land."

Larranaga said all the takeout food is made fresh every day. They even brought two bakers over from Sicily to ensure authenticity.

Owner Mario Fallone, who purchased a much smaller store decades ago, had tears in his eyes as he remembered the humble Cantoros of the 1940s.

"I bought the store from a gentleman who had to go back to Italy, and when I went home to my wife — she was expecting — she started to cry," he said.

Did Fallone ever think that one day he'd be standing in a market like this?

"No, no, never. I never did ... I just don't know what to say."

The line was long just to get in for the grand opening on Wednesday, and fans on Facebook have been expressing  their excitement.

"We were 'liking' this place 40 years ago! It's the best! Still looking for a place in Nashville that at least comes close," posted Beverly Ann Morey.

Wrote Patty Hank Small, "Finally! I watched them break ground on this 100 years ago. I must say though — it's beautiful!"