The Hub of Milton: Fruit Center Marketplace, Celebrating 40 Years in Business

For the past 40 years, the Fruit Center Marketplace, which now has locations in Hingham and Milton, has been providing fresh and local food to South Shore residents. The specialty food retailer serves as a hub in the community, both as a social meeting place and a contributing member.

In 2012, the Fruit Center contributed $11,000 to Milton and Hingham schools through its giveback program. The business has also sponsored and donated to a long list of local events and causes.

"The community is great to us." said Michael Dwyer, the Fruit Center's Marketing Director who has been with the company for 11 years. "We want to give back."

Don Mignosa started the Fruit Center in Weymouth in 1973. He then launched the Hingham store, which is now managed by his son Mark, in 1976. 

In 1979, the Milton location was founded just across the street in the current Dependable Cleaners store. The existing Milton complex, managed by Don's son Michael Mignosa, was built a few years later.

The Mignosa family has been in the produce business since the late 19th century. Today's stores, which feature delis, flowers, fish, meat and more, have a much greater selection than Sicilian immigrant Carmelo Mignosa had at Mignosa's Fruit Stand in South Boston in the 1889. 

Don Mignosa, was one of Carmelo's 12 children. He had some involvement in the Fruit Stand before eventually opening the Fruit Basket in Quincy with his brother Cosmo in 1968. 

When Don Mignosa opened the Fruit Center in Hingham, he hired Steve DiGuisto as a manager and produce buyer. DiGuisto is still with the business as general manager of the Fruit Center Marketplace.

While "fresh" and "local" are the hottest trends in food sales, the shelves at the Fruit Center have always had products from nearby retailers.

"We're lucky because are there so many excellent companies on the South Shore who make great food products," said Dwyer.

With so many options, especially for baked goods, the Fruit Center is now a destination for various product lines. The companies often reach out to the Fruit Center or products are pitched by customers.

"We're open and we're easy to approach," said Michael Mignosa.

Over the years, the Milton and Hingham stores have become meeting places for neighbors to chat while doing their shopping.

"I look out the window and I see people gathered in front of the store," said Business Manager Julie Foley.

Michael Mignosa said the stores offer the homey, corner store sensation of the past."It's a bit of the throwback feel," said Michael Mignosa.

The social aspect and comfortable feeling has led to generations of shoppers patronizing the Fruit Center Marketplace.

"It's a generational thing,"  Mark Mignosa said. "Their parents shopped here and then their kids."

To celebrate the 40th Anniversary, the Fruit Center staff has new bright green shirts. The two locations are also hosting demonstrations and instructional events called the "Chef Series." 

Learn more about the series and the Fruit Center Marketplace by visiting fruitcentermarketplace.com.