Jun 9, 2010
Albuquerque—The Albuquerque Community Foundation announces it is the recipient of a major gift-a historical building in downtown Albuquerque best known as the Champion Grocery and Feed Market.
The building is on the Historic Landmarks Survey Register and on the State Register of Cultural Properties noted “significant historically and culturally.”
After a renovation the Foundation will relocate to the building at 7th & Tijeras in spring, 2011.
Built in 1899, the building became the Lommori and Matteucci Grocery and Meat Market In 1904 under the ownership of Allesandro Matteucci, (the first of his family to come to the US) and Pio Lommori. After Lommori left in 1907, the business became Champion Grocery owned by Allesandro and his brother Amadeo Matteucci. The store sold dry goods, produce, and meat and was very popular delivering groceries in a horse drawn wagon. Ladies called in their order and waited for their groceries to be delivered.
In 1941 the proprietorship of the building and business evolved when Yolanda Maria Matteucci married Paolo “Paul” Marianetti. The Marianetti’s were another immigrant early–settler family in downtown Albuquerque. The Marianetti’s have donated the building to the Community Foundation.
Local historian Mo Palmer says: “This building has stood for 111 years, and was an important part of the Catholic and Italian – American community and its success. It also represents Albuquerque’s roots as neighborhood clusters, each with their own stores. Now it will serve our community in a new capacity as the Community Foundation’s office. I’d say that’s rather fitting.”