Sisters Donez Cardullo Tavilla and Francesca Cardullo Sibboe have sold the popular business to Newton couple, Rich and Kim Wilson. The sale will be finalized in four to six weeks once the liquor license is transferred, but the new owners plan to keep the shop’s name and mission, according to Tavilla.
Tavilla and Sibboe decided to sell the business so they can dedicate more time to their family.
“We have children who are still at home and we want to focus on them,” Tavilla said Thursday. “We’re switching our efforts from family business to family.”
Tavilla’s grandfather, Frank R. Cardullo, opened the Brattle Street shop in 1950 and her grandmother, Mary Cardullo, ran what was then just a neighborhood deli. At the time Frank Cardullo was busy running Wursthaus (which means sausage house in German), a restaurant nearby.
Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe was always owned and operated exclusively by the Cardullo family. Tavilla’s father, Frank N. Cardullo, took over the family business when his father became ill, and he ended up selling the restaurant to focus on the shop.
The business has grown over the years and it now carries 3,000 items from around the corner and the world — 5,000 during holiday seasons — including Somerville’s Doves and Figs jam and Harbor Sweets chocolate from Salem, according to Tavilla.
The shop’s selection includes coffees, teas, chocolates, wines, champagnes, specialty gift baskets, an array of house-made foods, charcuteries and cheeses, fresh baked pastries and made-to-order sandwiches.
Tavilla and Sibboe are happy the store will continue its mission and the family name, but the transfer process has been bittersweet, Tavilla said
“On one hand, it’s exciting to spend more time with our family, but for me, it’s extremely hard because I worked with my father for 10 years learning the business,” Tavilla said. “We have longstanding ties with all the vendors and our customers. But we’re very peaceful with the decision we’ve made.”
For more information about the shop, located at 6 Brattle St., visit cardullos.com.
