Lipari grew from a family market into a national distributor by standing shoulder to shoulder with our customers. From premium perimeter categories to specialty global finds, we deliver across 10 product categories with a service-first mindset. For us, it’s never just about what’s on the truck: it’s about grit, flavor, and relationships that fuel growth together.
Jim Lipari begins to learn the grocery business working at his father’s store, Maria’s Market, in Detroit.
Jim works as a meat cutter at Hershey Meats in Detroit.
Jim Lipari & John Bazzo start making Bazzo’s BBQ sauce at Li’L Giant Grocery Store, which they purchased in 1960.
Jim hits the road in a ’59 Chevy wagon with Bazzo’s on the side, officially launching Lipari Foods Distributors. As demand grows, he and his father expand production in St. Clair Shores with Bella Mia and Bazzo’s sauces, then secure Lipari’s first building to add new products and keep scaling.
Lipari expands its lineup with a sharper focus on spices, and Jim scales up operations with a second St. Clair Shores facility featuring a walk-in cooler to grow deli sales. Around the same time, Thom Lipari joins the business, helping carry the craft forward into Lipari’s next chapter.
Jim Lipari buys his third building on Production Drive in Mount Clemens, MI.
Lipari starts building its owned-label muscle, beginning with American Cheese and expanding into new perimeter staples.
We launch our first Food Show, turning discovery into a real advantage for customers.
The business accelerates fast, fueled by breakout growth in deli, bakery, and packaging, plus the space and capability upgrades needed to keep up.
Strategic acquisitions help us enter new categories and expand into new markets with momentum.
Lipari scales up in a big way, acquiring 18 distributors and manufacturing facilities and expanding the footprint to match.
We build our current HQ and warehouse and launch JLM Manufacturing to support branded and private label production.
Lipari adds two dry and frozen storage warehouses in Warren & Detroit.
We deepen our cold-chain capability again with the addition of a frozen warehouse in Warren.
Growth continues through acquisitions and deeper specialty assortments. Lipari expands its reach across 32+ states and 10 categories, building the capabilities required to serve today’s market while remaining positioned for what comes next.
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