A1 is Here To Stay

Many San Pedrans may be aware that a beloved business, A1 Imported Groceries, has changed hands in ownership. Locals are asking questions and voicing their opinions on what they do and don’t want to see happen with the market that they have frequented for more than 75 years.

Co-owners Thomas Roberto and Nino Palma (Great American International Seafood Market, San Pedro, Rancho Palos Verdes) want to keep A1 the same as it was, while “freshening up” the market.

Initial Plans 

Roberto recently spoke to Random Lengths News about new plans for the business. 

He’s had previous experience in restaurant and deli ownership and says he enjoys working with customers and the San Pedro community. He and his wife have recently moved locally, from Pasadena. He felt it was important to live near A1 to provide as much support as needed.

Talking to Roberto, it quickly became clear that the partners want to honor the community’s wishes to keep things the same; but they are adding a few minor features for convenience and more cuisine options.

“We have listened to the majority of the people in the community,” said Roberto. “And we’re leaving the store intact.”

He indicated that many people were worried A1 would be closing after all these years. 

“We were told it was a blessing that we [are] keeping it open,” said Roberto

One of the first things on the to-do-list is to create a digital presence for A1, where customers can place orders online for their sandwiches. Roberto said the goal is to eventually have a website. The market will also be adding a delivery app like Uber, DoorDash or other host sites in the future. They just haven’t quite gotten that far yet. 

And, what would you say is one of the best grocery options to offer the San Pedro community? 

If you said seafood, you’d be correct. This is a new and exciting feature for A1 — both fresh and frozen — appropriate for a seaside community and in Venetian fare. A1’s frozen seafood includes shrimp, lobster tails, crab legs and salmon, Chilean sea bass, octopus and squid. And in time, the market will add fresh fish, which Roberto said is all new.

Old charm. Fresh ideas

The new owners have adopted an ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,’ view. Roberto said they’re going to add new paint and more lights to freshen up the market.

“Nino and I are co-owners, I handle meat and he handles seafood,” Roberto said.  

He noted, at this time, there are no plans for dining. That requires a different license and A1 doesn’t have the facility for that. However, with A1’s new features Roberto hopes to increase business twofold. In the meantime, the market is working on advertising and its social media presence. Indeed, its first promotion came out May 24, in honor of Memorial Day, on A1’s Facebook page.

Additionally, Roberto said they will be adding new sandwiches — and — A1 actually wants to start cooking their own bread, in house, on a daily basis. We all need a little more Italian bread! But first, they need to acquire the right oven.

A1 is supporting the same vendors and keeping the same great staff. Nothing has changed on that front. And the market will also be looking to add to its staff. Roberto said they are “making a refresh and growing slowly.” 

“People who have walked in recently have immediately noticed the small changes we’ve made,” he said. “We’re going to have fun with it.” 

Then, he dropped more big news. “Another long term goal is to serve and deliver pizza,” Roberto said.

So, rest assured, A1 is leaving the store intact and providing the same products its customers are used to and love, while providing some fresh new items. And as business increases, Roberto said, hours will probably increase too. 

In closing, Roberto noted that many San Pedrans know a lot about what’s happening with their A1 Imported Groceries, and they’re not shy about both asking and telling the new owners all about it. He jovially likened this phenomena to a meme of a vintage photo of a group 

senior Italian women dressed in black, with their hair in buns, standing on the porch; the caption reads ‘Security guards for little Italy.’ 

“They know everything,” he quipped.

Details: A1 Imported Groceries

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

310-833-3430; https://www.facebook.com/A1DeliSanPedro

348 W. 8th St., San Pedro