Fresh produce, ethnic food market opens in Loves Park

Joe Delulio is proud of his pasta.

As the merchandiser for Valli Produce, Delulio stocked an 84-foot aisle of imported pasta and sauces at the newly opened store at 6500 N. Alpine Road.

Valli's imported pasta is available in unusual cuts such as spaghetti-length straws

<table width="200" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right">

<tbody>

<tr>

<td>

Typical Valli Produce items

Fresh Italian pastries: Cannoli, 99 cents each

Four-color roasted wasabi peas: $2.99 per pound

Imported European candies: hazelnut chocolates imported from Italy cost between $3.99 and $14.99 per box

Fresh squid: $8.99 per pound

Whole flounder: $5.99 per pound

Sausage in links and rope, made daily: $2.69 per pound

Fresh key limes by the bag: $1.99

Persimmons: $2.49 per pound

Fresh chestnuts from Italy: $3.99 per pound

Boxed Italian cakes: $5.99 to $14.99

Source: Valli Produce merchandiser Joe Delulio

</td>

</tr>

</tbody>

</table>

and tiny shapes.

"Now this," Delulio said, touching the top shelf in the oil section, "is the Cadillac of all olive oils."

But the store, which opened Wednesday, offers more than authentic Italian fare.

There are the bins of exotic fruits such as cactus pear and persimmons, rows of chocolates and other sweets from Europe, fresh sausage and roast beef prepared daily in the meat department.

After the 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting, Clerk Bob Burden and Ald. Tom Laughlin raced to see who would be the first official customer. But cashiers struggled with their registers, and Laughlin was asked to switch lanes. The bragging rights went to Burden.

Later in the morning, shopper Terry Morris found himself a $4 meal: enough bread, provolone, soprasetta and pepperoni for a sandwich.

"Its cheaper than a Big Mac and fries," he said.

Valli Produce is operating in the building formerly occupied by Cub Foods, which closed last year. After Cub closed, city sales tax revenues dropped about $80,000.

Although the store is open, its grand opening will be later this month, store managers said.

Valli has other locations in Arlington Heights and Hoffman Estates. Morris said he and his wife visit the Chicagoland stores two or three times a month to look for specialty meats, cheese and veggies.

"There you could see a sarong, a sombrero or a yarmulke," Morris said. "People who shop for good ethnic food go to Valli."

Staff writer Bridget Tharp may be reached at 815-987-1354 or btharp@rrstar.com.