Grocery stores can be the center of a community

My father, Frank Bisognano, second from right, always found ways to get the community involved in his stores. Here a newspaper article shows the winners of a "Quaker Coloring Contest" sponsored by the Stop & Shop in Norwood, Massachusetts.

My grandfather, John DeNisco, left, my uncle, Jimmy Ferro, middle, and my uncle, Joe DeNisco, in front of my family's butcher shop on Cottage Street in East Boston, Massachusetts in 1944. It was more than a store, it was a gathering place for the community where people would stop by, have a glass of wine, and talk for hours.

My father, left, with co-workers as they traveled to supermarkets throughout New England, always finding ways to try to connect with customers.

Working at supermarkets, connecting with customers and making them know that a store was part of the community was important to my father, on left. This was a "have a cup of coffee and a donut with us" promotion.

Working in as a regional manager for supermarkets throughout New England, my father, right, loved meeting customers at his stores, as this snapshot shows.

Supermarkets where my father worked in the 1970s and 80s would often hold promotions tied to the community. In this newspaper article, my father, at right, is seen shaking hands with Bob Olson of the Boston Patriots for a March of Dimes "Save A Nickel-Give A Nickel" campaign. The March of Dimes raised money in the fight against birth defects.