Julia Williams

Editor-in-Chief

The Cosentinos — a family who migrated to Kansas City from Italy in the early 20th Century — began their grocery store journey in 1948 and has gone on to open and operate grocery store franchises across the metro in its over 75 years in business.

 Of these Cosentino-owned markets includes 31 Price Choppers — with its Northeast store at 5800 Wilson Ave., as one — Apple Market, Sun Fresh and Cosentino’s Market locations across the Kansas City metro, according to its website. However, while the Cosentino’s family remains in charge of operations across these 31 stores, each location is individually owned and has its own employees.

A handful of staff at the Northeast Price Chopper location has continued to represent the community for over a decade — with some members carrying out their roles for over 30 years.  Rick Carroll has served as the store director on Wilson Avenue for the past 12 years, he shared with Northeast News in an interview on Monday. 

“We’re a family,” Carroll said. “We work together well, and we all support each other.”

Carroll — who grew up across the river in Excelsior Springs — shared he has worked within the grocery store industry for over 50 years, and it is the only career he has known — having started as a grocery sacker when he was 16 years old. 

“I just enjoy working with people and coming to work,” Carroll said in an interview, Monday. “I don’t know what else I would do.”

While he said he has worked for Price Chopper for a total of 15 years, Carroll has additionally worked for Apple Market and The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P) — a chain of retail stores across the U.S., which closed the doors of its last locations in 2015 after 159 years in operation.

On April 30, Cosentino’s will celebrate the anniversary of its Northeast location at 5800 Wilson Ave. In addition to special advertisements which will be offered, this Price Chopper location will also provide three weeks worth of sale-priced anniversary items available for its customers, Carroll said in an interview, Monday.

Traditional items offered at Cosentino’s locations include its bakery — with accompanying desserts including custom birthday cakes — a hot deli counter, selection of produce with fruits and vegetables and fresh meat options.

Cosentino’s said in a statement that its business goal is to maintain low costs with high quality products. 

“We look forward to meeting new people, so come on in and say Hi,” Cosentino’s shared in a statement. 

For additional information on the Cosentino’s family or on the Northeast Price Chopper, visit: https://cosentinos.com/our-story/ or https://www.mypricechopper.com/store-details?storeId=75.