Where It All Began
Over the years, Lipari Foods has experienced tremendous growth throughout its history. The growth has come in many forms: acquisitions of distribution businesses, partnerships with several wholesale warehouses, and product expansion into packaging, seafood, and confections. In 2006, Lipari Foods built its current facility to customize space, technology, and accommodate anticipated future growth.
1938-60
1938 – Jim Lipari begins to learn the grocery business working at his father’s store, Maria’s Market in Detroit.
1950-1960 – Jim works as a meat cutter at Hershey Meats in Detroit.
1962-1963
1962 – Jim Lipari & John Bazzo start making Bazzo’s BBQ sauce at Li’l Giant Grocery Store – which they purchased in 1960.
1963 – Jim buys a ’59 Chevy station wagon & adds the Bazzo’s logo to sell sauce out of it. He launches Lipari Foods Distributors.
1963-66
Jim & his father begin making Bella Mia spaghetti sauce & continues making Bazzo’s in St. Clair Shores.
1966 – Jim buys first building in St. Clair Shores & adds new products.
1971-74
Lipari continues to expand their product offerings with a focus on spices.
1971 – Thom Lipari joins Lipari, helping his grandfather make sauce. Jim purchases his second building with a walk-in cooler in St. Clair Shores, increasing deli product sales.
1974 – Lori Lipari starts working at Lipari Foods in the accounts receivable department.
1977-80
1977 – Jim Lipari buys his third building on Production Drive in Mount Clemens, MI.
1980 – Lipari begins selling their own label, starting with American Cheese.
1981
Lipari Foods hosts its first Food Show.
1983-1985+
1983 – Lipari starts selling frozen bakery dough.
1985+ – Lipari experiences rapid growth through new product offerings, especially in deli, bakery, & packaging categories.
1995-1999
1995 – Lipari moved once again to accommodate sales and product expansion.
1997 – Lipari expands into new categories & markets through acquisitions.
2000-Present
Lipari acquires 18 distributors & manufacturing facilities.
2006 – Lipari builds current office building & warehouse.
2008 – Lipari forms JLM Manufacturing – pack/manufacture branded & private label offerings.
2009-2010 – Lipari adds 2 dry & frozen storage warehouses in Warren & Detroit.
2017 – Lipari adds frozen warehouse in Warren.
Employees
Regular Stocked Items
Total Items
Customers
Warehouse Space (Sq. Feet)
States Served