Brown Family Broadens Philly Presence With Di Bruno Bros. Investment

The Brown family, already a strong presence in the Philadelphia area retail food landscape, is adding to its portfolio with its recent investment in popular specialty food retailer and importer, Di Bruno Bros.

At presstime, final details were still being hammered out but executives from both merchants issued a statement acknowledging the investment.

“We can confirm that a Brown-owned company is a secured creditor of Di Bruno Bros. with the intention of leveraging the retail experience, technology acumen and systems at Brown’s to create a new entity that is financially resilient and builds upon the exceptional quality and customer experience for which the Di Bruno Bros. brand is known. The Di Bruno Brothers brand has a strong presence in the Philadelphia region,” stated Sandy Brown, chairwoman and executive VP Brown’s Super Stores, operator of nine ShopRite and two Fresh Grocer stores in the Philadelphia area. “Di Bruno Brothers has been a specialty grocer in the city since 1939 and we are excited to take this unique brand and experience to the next level of retail excellence.”

Added Bill Mignucci: “As Danny Di Bruno’s grandson and president of Di Bruno Brothers, I am honored that our family business has meant so much to so many for so long. Along with the entire Di Bruno family, my cousins, Emilio, Billy and I are grateful to our many employees, customers, vendors, and the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ for helping us make Di Bruno Brothers the extraordinary brand it is today. We are confident that a like-minded family business will fuel the brand’s growth and more importantly preserve the legacy that Danny and Joe started 85 years ago.”

All three Mignuccis will remain with the new organization when the deal is finalized and the Di Bruno name will also continue to be utilized. A source told us that both sides expect to complete the deal in the near future.

Other industry insiders said that multiple locations are involved including Di Bruno’s original iconic store on 930 S. 9th Street which was founded by Italian immigrants Danny and Joe Di Bruno 85 years ago. Other Di Bruno’s Philadelphia specialty stores are located at 834 Chestnut Street and 1730 Chestnut Street (Rittenhouse Square. The family also operates stores in Wayne, PA and in the Ardmore (PA) Farmers Market.

According to a corporate filing, Joshua Brown, who is the eldest son of Sandy and Jeff Brown (now executive chairman of Brown’s Super Stores), is listed as being part of two new entities – DB Gourmet Brands and DB Gourmet Markets.

Although the Di Bruno’s investment is separate from the core Brown’s supermarket business, industry observers noted there are potential synergies that could benefit the Brown family. “Imagine utilizing a strong local brand like Di Bruno’s in their 11 supermarkets,” said a local food broker executive. “Or even expanding the brand to use in other ShopRite stores. Kroger has had great success in marketing the Murray’s cheese brand nationwide; why couldn’t Brown’s or Wakefern use the same path to make DiBruno’s a flagship brand or department in its stores?”

Also to be determined is Di Bruno’s wholesale situation. Currently, the specialty merchant operates a warehouse in Philadelphia to supply product to its stores. It also utilizes the services of UNFI and other specialty distributors to service its retail outlets. After the deal is finalized, could Wakefern become the primary supplier of these stores?