www.fantes.com
Fante's Kitchen Wares Shop - fantes.com Click for Shopping Cart Checkout 
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 One of America's oldest and most distinguished resources of cooks' wares, established in 1906

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-About Fante's
-Aebleskiver
-Apple
-Aprons
-Asparagus
-Aspic Cutters
-Atlas Pasta Instr
-Avocado
-Bakers, Ceramic
-Baking Cups
-Baking Helpers
-Baking Ingredients
-Baking Mats
-Baking Shells
-Banana
-Banneton
-Barbecue
-Barware
-Bellman Instr
-Blenders, Electric
-Blenders, Pastry
-Bottle Openers
-Bottle Stoppers
-Bottles
-Bowls, Prep/Mixing
-Bowls, Wood
-Bread
-Brioche
-Brisker Crisper
-Broilers
-Bron Mandolin Instr
-Brotform
-Brushes, Cleaning
-Brushes, Cooking
-Bundt Pans
-Butane Burner
-Butter
 ↑ 
-Cake Cutters
-Cake Decorating:
  ·Courses

  ·Flavors
  ·Food Colors
  ·Icing Tools
  ·Ingredients
  ·Pastry Bags
  ·Tips
-Cake Pans:
  ·Characters
  ·Christmas
  ·Easter
  ·Flan
  ·Halloween
  ·Jelly Roll Sheet
  ·Panettone
  ·Patriotic
  ·Rectangular
  ·Ring
  ·Round
  ·Shapes
  ·Sheet
  ·Shortbread
  ·Springform
  ·Square
  ·St Patrick
  ·Steam Pudding
  ·Tube
-Cake Rings
-Calculators
-Can Covers
-Can Openers
-Canners, Pressure
-Cannoli
-Cappuccino Acc
-Cappuccino Cups
-Casseroles
-Caviar
-Cazuela

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-Ceramics Guide
-Charlotte
-Cheese Graters
-Cheese Utensils
-Cherry
-Chestnut
-Chinois
-Chocolate
-Choppers
-Chopsticks
-Christmas & Winter
-Cleaners
-Cleavers
-Coeur a la Crème
-Coffee Pages:
  ·About Coffee

  ·Accessories
  ·AutoDrip
  ·Beans
  ·Cappuccino
  ·Chemex
  ·Espresso
  ·Filters
  ·French Press
  ·Manual Drip
  ·Mills & Grinders
  ·Percolators
  ·Roasters
  ·Turkish
  ·Vacuum
-Colanders
-Contact Us
-Conversion Tools
-Cookie Cutters:
  ·
General
  ·Gingerbread
  ·Easter
  ·Halloween
  ·Leaves
  ·Patriotic
  ·Sets & More
  ·St Patrick
  ·Winter
-Cookie Presses
-Cookie Sheets
-Cookware Guide
-Cooling Racks
-Copper Cookware
-Copper Molds
-Copper Re-Tinning
-Corers
-Corkscrews
-Corn
-Couscoussier
-Cream Horns
-Crème Brulee
-Crepe
-Custard Cups
-Customer Service
-Cutting Boards

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-Directions to Store
-Double Boilers
-Doughnuts
-Duck Press
-Dumplings
-Dutch Ovens
 ↑ 
-Easter
-Eclair
-Educated Pan Instr
-Egg Cookers
-Egg Utensils
-Enamelware Guide
-Escargot
-Espresso:
  ·Accessories

  ·Cups
  ·Frothers
  ·Spoons
  ·Electric
  ·Stovetop
-Extracts
 ↑ 
-Fat & Gravy
-Fish Pans
-Fish Tools
-Flan
-Flavors
-Flour
-Fondue
-Fondue Instr
-Food Colors
-Food Mills
-Food Processors
-Food Proc Acc
-French Fry
-French Press
-Frothers
-Fruit Ripener
-Fruit Tools
-Fry Pans, Iron
-Fryers, Deep
-Fun Kitchen Stuff
-Funnel Cake
-Funnels

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-Galette
-Garlic
-Garnishing
-Gaufrette
-Gift Certificates
-Gingerbread
-Grain Mills
-Grapefruit
-Graters
-Gratin Pans/Dishes
-Gravy & Fat
-Griddles, Grill Pans
-Grilling Baskets
-Grinders, Coffee
-Grinders, Meat
 ↑ 
-Halloween
-Ham Rack
-Hanging Racks
-Heat Diffusers
-Herb Mincers
-Honey
-Hooks, Magnetic
-Hooks, Pot Racks
 ↑ 
-Ice Cream
-Ice Utensils
-Icing Bags
-Icing Ingredients
-Icing Tools
-Imperia Pasta Instr
-Imperia Motor Instr
-Italian Market
 ↑ 
-Jars
-Jelly Roll Pans
-Juicers
 ↑ 
-Kitchen Links
-Knives:
  ·All About

  ·Cleavers
  ·Electric
  ·ErgoChef
  ·Fante's Pro
  ·Global
  ·Henckels 4 Star
  ·Kershaw
  ·Kyocera
  ·Misc
  ·Sabatier Carbon
  ·Safety Tools
  ·Sharpeners
  ·Storage
  ·Wusthof
-Kransekake
-Krumkake
-Kugelhopf

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-Lacquer Removal
-Ladles
-Leaves
-Loaf
 ↑ 
-Madeleine
-Mandolines
-Manufacturers List
-Marcato Ravioli Instr
-Matfer Mandolin Instr
-Mats
  ·Baking

  ·Cutting
  ·Grilling
  ·Pastry
  ·Sushi
-Measuring Cups
-Measuring Spoons
-Meat Grinders
-Meat Tools
-Meat Slicers
-Meat Smokers
-Melon Ballers
-Mezzaluna
-Microwave
-Milk Frothers
-Mincers
-Mitts & Potholders
-Mixers, Cuisinart
-Mixers, Hand
-Mixers, KitchenAid
-Mixing Bowls
-Mongolian Fire Pot
-Moravian Loaf
-Mortar & Pestle
-Muffin Cups
-Muffin Pans
-Mugs

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-NRTL List
-Nutmeg
-Nuts
 ↑ 
-Oil & Fryers
-Oils Flavors Extracts
-Olives
-Openers
-Order/Return Info
 ↑ 
-Paella
-Pancakes
-Pandoro
-Panettone
-Parchment Rolls
-Parchment Triangles
-Pasta Makers
-Pasta Utensils
-Pastry Bags
-Pastry Blenders
-Pastry Boards
-Pastry Brushes
-Pastry Cutters
-Pâtê Molds
-Patriotic Bakeware
-Peach Cakes Mold
-Peelers
-Pepper/Salt Mills
-Pepper/Salt Peugeot
-Pepper/Salt Shakers
-Peppercorns
-Percolators
-Philadelphia Links
-Pie
-Pierogi
-Pineapple
-Pitchers
-Pitters
-Pizza
-Pizzelle
-Plastics Guide
-Platt Pan
-Pocket Pastry
-Poffertjes
-Polenta
-Popcorn Poppers
-Pot de Crème
-Pot Holders
-Pot Racks:
  ·All About

  ·All Lines
  ·Enclume Bar
  ·Enclume Ceiling
  ·Enclume Floor
  ·Enclume Hooks
  ·Enclume Wall
  ·Rogar Ceiling
  ·Rogar Hooks
  ·Rogar Wall
-Potatoes
-Pourers
-Prep Bowls
-Pressure Cookers
-Privacy Policy
-Publications Links

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-Quiche
-Racks, Hanging
-Racks, Roast-Cool
-Raclettes
-Ravioli
-Recipe Card Boxes
-Retinning
-Returns
  ·Information

  ·Secure Form
-Rice
-Ring Molds
-Roasters, Ceramic
-Roasters, Coffee
-Roasters, Metal
-Rolling Pins
-Romertopf Bakers
-Rosettes
-Rumtopf
 ↑ 
-Salad
-Salt
-Salt/Pepper Mills
-Salt/Pepper Peugeot
-Salt/Pepper Shakers
-Sausage Funnels
-Scales
-Scissors & Shears
-Schlemmertopf
-Scones
-Scoops
-Scrapers
-Seafood Bakeware
-Seafood Tools
-Seasoning Metals
-Seltzer Siphons
-Serving Spatulas
-Serving Utensils
-Shakers
-Sharpeners
-Sheet Pans
-Shipping Charges
-Shopping Cart Help
-Shortbread
-Sifters
-Silicone Guide
-Simac MX-700 Instr
-Skewers
-Slicers, Electric
-Slicers, Mandolines
-Smokers
-Snails
-Soapstone Cookware
-Soda Siphons
-Soufflè
-Soup Bowls/Tureens
-Spaetzle
-Spatulas & Scrapers
-Spatulas, Icing
-Spice Jars, Racks
-Spoon Rests
-Spoons
-Springerle
-Springform
-St Patrick
-Stacks & Rings
-Stainless Steel Guide
-Steam Pudding
-Steamers
-Steel Pan Care
-Stew Pots
-Stollen
-Stoppers
-Store Directions
-Strainers
-Stroopwafel Irons
-Sugars & Utensils
-Sushi
-Syrup

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-Tabletop Acc
-Tagines
-Tart Pans
-Tea:
  ·About

  ·Accessories
  ·Infusers
  ·Kettles
  ·Leaves
  ·Pots
-Terms of Use
-Thermal Servers
-Thermometers
-Timers
-Tin Care
-Toasters
-Tongs
-Tools, Kitchen List
-Tortilla
-Towel Holders
-Trivets
-Truffle Slicers
-Tube Pans
-Tubes, Decorating
-Turners
-Turntables
 ↑ 
-Utensil Holders
-Utensils, General
-Vacuum Sealers
-Vacuum Sealing Guide
 ↑ 
-Waffle Makers
-Warmers
-Warranties
-Water Utensils
-Whipped Cream
-Whisks
-Wine Storage
-Wine Utensils
-Woks
-Wood Bowls
-Wood Care
-Wood Spoons
-Yogurt
-Zabaglione
-Zesters
 ↑ 

Fante's
Kitchen Wares Shop 
www.fantes.com
1006 S. Ninth St.
Philadelphia PA
19147-4798
USA

Customer Service

© COPYRIGHT
FANTE'S INC

 

Page Contents:
-Fante's History
-Some of Our Friends
-Reviews of Fante's

Related Pages:
-9th St Italian Market
www.fantes.com Home

History of Fante's

Thank you for visiting us today.

Who we are...
Fante's is a family retail business, located in the heart of Philadelphia's historic Italian Market since 1906.

What we do...
We specialize in utensils for the kitchen, and feature on this web site select products from our inventory that may not readily be available elsewhere. Our Philadelphia store includes a full selection of cookware, cutlery and thousands more products.


Fante's family crest
1906

 
HISTORY OF FANTE'S

Fante's was founded in January 1906, by the immigrants Domenico Fante, a stone mason, and his son, Luigi L. Fante, Sr. The entire family was devoted to the business, which was located, as it still is, in Philadelphia's historic Italian Market.

Luigi took charge of the business after Domenico's death. Luigi was a dutiful member of the community, and fought hard for human rights for the underprivileged in the neighborhood.

The Fante family - 1912
Luigi and Carmela with their children
Rose, Teresa, Frank, Dominic, Josephine
1912

When Luigi passed away, early in the life of the business, it was passed on to his wife and his sons (Dominic, Frank and Louis). Dominic took on his father's role and became very vocal in the neighborhood, much to the community's benefit.

Fante's delivery cart
Fante's delivery cart
Little Dominic is seated in the cart

Together with their sisters (Rose, Josephine and Theresa), and their spouses, they strived to keep their respected business prospering by constantly varying it to meet the changing demand for products and services. They made venetian blinds, installed entire kitchens, sold furnishings, imported china, crystal and other goods from Europe.

Looking South on 9th St from Carpenter St - 1925
Looking toward Fante's from 9th & Carpenter Sts.
1925

During the second World War, when goods for resale were hard to come by, they purchased distressed goods, repaired and resold them. The addition of a plethora of items for the kitchen made Fante's famous as a popular stop for these goods.

Metal label from Fante's furniture

One of the family members, Jeanne Fante, brought back expertise and goods from France, England and Australia that made Fante's the only place in the area, and probably in the entire country, where pastry chefs could readily obtain equipment for decorating cakes. Courses offered in the art of cake decorating to chefs and restaurateurs became very fashionable.

Family and friends in the early 1940's
Boy Scout Troop 363 - Dom Fante, Scoutmaster (2nd from left)
Early 1940's

In the early 1960's, Fante's mail order catalog contained a wealth of hard to find goods and was successfully sought after by people throughout the country. Many articles were written about the unusual kitchen goods that could be found there, and Fante's became a virtual mecca for chefs and cooks from around the world.

Fante's - Early 1980's

In April 1981, the Fante family retired and Mariella Giovannucci, then General Manager of the store, took over the business as President, having worked with the family for over a decade. The families became acquainted in the mid 1960's, when the Giovannucci family emigrated to Philadelphia from northern Italy. Dominic Fante and his family helped to relieve the culture shock and even employed Mariella and her siblings after school.

Under the guidance of the Giovannucci family, Fante's direction became even more focused on goods for the preparation and service of food, while carrying on the tradition of the Fante family, in providing quality in wares and excellence in service.

A renowned Philadelphia tradition, Fante's is nationally acknowledged as one of the finest in the housewares industry. Over the years, Fante's continues to receive recognition from countless newspaper, magazine, and web articles, as well as from food related programs on television and radio.

Famous chefs and cookbook writers make it a point to stop at the original Italian Market store when in Philadelphia, and you'll find Fante's listed as a resource in many of their books.

We are proud to serve our clients in the Philadelphia area and throughout the United States.

Fante's Entrance - 1999


 
Our staff...

Our customers are the lifeblood of our business, and our employees sustain and invigorate that relationship.

Quite a few of our staff members have been with us more than 25 years, many have foodservice backgrounds.

Mariella, our other family members and staff welcome you and are always happy to offer you their helpful knowledge and expertise.

 


Some of our famous friends and visitors...

Emeril Lagasse
Emeril Lagasse
and Mariella

Amy Coleman
Amy Coleman

Two Hot Tamales
Two Hot Tamales
Mary Sue Milliken & Susan Feniger

Lorenza De Medici
Lorenza De Medici
with family

Curtis Aikens
Curtis Aikens
with Marianne

Barbara Kafka
Barbara Kafka

Biba Caggiano
Biba Caggiano

Philip Margolis
Philip Margolis

Mario Batali
Mario Batali

The Marcato Family and Dad
The Marcato Family with Dad

 

Jacques Pepin
Jacques Pepin
and Mariella

Rose Levy Beranbaum
Rose Levy Beranbaum

Christina Pirello, of Christina Cooks
Christina Pirello

Biker Billy
Biker Billy

Natalie MacLean
Natalie MacLean

Merle Ellis, The Butcher
Merle Ellis

Martin Yan
Martin Yan

Nathalie Dupree
Nathalie Dupree

Julia Child
Julia Child with Allan Kalish, Judy Faye, and Daniele

Santa with Gina and Annie
Santa Joe with Gina and Annie

 

Mary Ann Esposito & Dad
Mary Ann Esposito & Dad

Lidia Bastianich
Lidia Bastianich

Dom De Luise
Dom DeLuise
and Nadia

Nick Malgieri
Nick Malgieri

Marcia Adams
Marcia Adams

Jeff Smith, Craig Woolam, and family
Jeff Smith, Craig Woolam, and our family

Jeff Smith, Mayor Goode, and our Alice
Jeff Smith, Mayor Goode, and our Alice

Julia Child
Julia Child

Giuliano Bugialli
Giuliano Bugialli

Ming Tsai
Ming Tsai

Aliza Green
Aliza Green

Independent sites that rate Fante's,
mostly by what our customers think of us:

www.uwishunu.com by Todd Kimmell
www.yelp.com
www.insiderpages.com
www.igougo.com
philadelphia.citysearch.com
www.openlist.com
www.kaboodle.com
www.fodors.com
travel.yahoo.com

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