How hard work and determination paid off for a 16-year-old immigrant from Sicily.

In 1899, a 16-year-old boy named August Serio came to the United States from Palermo, Sicily. After working and saving his money, he returned to marry Anna Calderone. But, the Italian Army inducted him, even though he had become a U.S. citizen. Three years later, he was discharged, married Anna, and returned to the U.S.

Initially selling fruit and vegetables door to door in the western suburbs (see first photo), August also started his two sons, Tony and Sam, in the business while they were still in grade school. By the time they were 16, they were working full-time. In 1927, the family opened a fruit store in Western Springs. And, in 1938, they moved the fruit store a block to be closer to the train tracks and other businesses in town.

Just as today, the store was located at 925 Burlington Avenue, across the street from the train station. In those days, they had to get up at 2 a.m., hitch up a horse and wagon, and travel to the Chicago produce markets where they would purchase the best fruit and vegetables available. And, when one of the boys went into the military service, his sister, Sally, worked in the store to help out.

While much of the store’s success was due to the variety and freshness of the fruit and vegetables, customer service was also a key factor.  Long before credit cards had been invented, the store offered credit accounts.  to its regular customers.  Note this entire bill from November 1931 was just 83 cents!

Of course, the dollar bought a lot more in the 1930s. Just look at this ad from 1934 … three pounds of Delicious apples for just 20 cents!

In 1977, the family donated a hanging scale from their shop to the Western Springs Historical Society. It is displayed in the Water Tower Museum, alongside other artifacts from that time period.

In April of 1978, Sam Serio passed away. While his brother, Tony, continued to run the store for half a year, he decided to sell the business to Al Enzbigilis and Bob Yurchak. However, Tony continued to help out in the store a few hours each week for at least ten more years.

Today, the store continues to serve the village much the way it has for the past 85 years. And, while the store now carries gourmet items, fruit salads, vegetable platters, and fruit baskets, there’s still a lot that hasn’t changed. Stop by and sample some real Western Springs history… one of, if not the, oldest continually operating businesses in the village.