A Legendary Family Business Interview

The Village Grocer,

Stocklands Balgowlah

Northern Beaches Family Run Specialty Foods Market Offering Gourmet Groceries, Deli and Salad Bar at the Stockland Mall

Call the Village Grocer Phone : (02) 9949 4355

The Village Grocer is a family affair, with three generations of dedicated professionals contributing their talents to the Northern Beaches finest specialty grocer.

With his gleaming new market in the Stockland Mall, Manager/Owner Sebastian Scandura, with 35 years experience in the industry, has brought together a great team including his wife Tania, who contributes her authentic Neopolitan and Italian recipes to the kitchen and deli, his brother-in-law, Produce Manager Richard Sellaro and son Angelo Scandura who holds the title of Grocery Manager.

A Family Tradition

Sebastian and his family have deep roots in Sydney. Reminisces Sebastian, "In 1960 my uncle opened one of the first continental delicatessens on Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. My family has been involved in the fruit industry forever, from wholesaling to retailing.

"I have personally worked in this industry since 1979 and couldn’t imagine doing anything else! My wife Tania has worked in continental delicatessens in the Eastern Suburbs since 1980 and now heads up The Village Grocer Deli & Gourmet Food section. She has proudly been the chef in our coffee lounge at Centre Point for up to 14 years, people love her food! If you need a cooking tip, Tania is always on hand in store to offer advice to our customers."

Adds Richard, "My family has been involved with the fresh produce industry since the 1950’s. Our family’s first business was Sellaro Bros in Mosman Junction. From a young age I was involved in the family business. My family were heavily involved in the growing and exporting of fresh produce at a number of fruit markets across Sydney. We also were involved in the growing of olives for olive oil in Calabria, Italy!"

This is a family that knows everything about great food - from fresh organic produce to the finest prepared foods from here and abroad. Fine food is a family tradition.

The Best Produce from Around the World, International Specialty Items and a Gourmet Continental Deli

With the area's premium selection of local and international fresh fruit and vegetables, Stockland Mall's The Village Grocer also offers the Northern Beaches' best gourmet continental deli with foods ready to eat or take home and share at the family dinner table.

Says Angelo, who took time out from meeting with the many artisanal food reps jockeying for position on his store's shelves to speak with Our Manly, "We pride ourselves on knowing our products, knowing what's new but also having an appreciation for the classic, must have items that complete a well stocked kitchen."

Supporting Local Producers, Appreciating Global Cuisines

While Angelo loves filling the sparkling aisles of The Village Grocer with specialty items from cuisines around the world, he also takes special satisfaction in promoting foods from local Australian producers. "A great trend in Australia right now," Angelo reflects, "is to support our local markets. For instance, we've got incredible pastas coming out of Melbourne... that go great with sauces from Europe!"

Sounds like a delicious combination to us- fresh local pasta and the best authentic sauces. Speaking of delicious and local, let's not forget dessert. Angelo enthuses, "In our refrigerated section we've got a wonderful locally produced tiramisu, panna cotta, apple and berry crumbles and rice and bread puddings."

Stockland Mall, Balgowlah Location

"We're calling it the best kept secret in Balgowlah," quotes Angelo about the newly redesigned Stockland Mall. The new centre boasts 50 specialty stores including Veronika Maine, Nine West, Witchery and Sportscraft, to name just a few. The unique open-air plaza is complimented by restaurants and vibrant shopping offering boutique fashion and useful services.

The centre is located on Condamine St, Balgowlah just kilometres from the Sydney CBD and provides a relaxed, modern and welcoming environment. Easily accessible for the whole community, Stockland Balgowlah also provides plenty of undercover car parking accessible from both Condamine Street and Sydney Road. And for your convenience, enjoy 3 hours FREE under cover parking!

Homemade Recipes in the Deli Made by Mum, Herself!

'We've got an original recipe lasagna in the deli that is made by Mum herself," Angelo reports. "My favourite is the spinach and ricotta lasagna she makes. It's amazing. I take at least one piece home a week. We also have classics like cannelloni, pasta bakes, schnitzel, croquettes. All made here in the shop and available at a great price."

Modern Grocery, Old Fashioned Service

Owner Sebastian Scandura knows that good service, as well as great food make for a successful grocer. "We offer a personal service to our customers. My wife and son, my partner Richard, we're always on the floor, answering questions, whether it's about cooking, our fruits and vegetables, we're always happy to help them out.

"We listen to what people want and don't want. We're always striving to offer as much as possible. It's hard, but it makes me happy to offer that kind of service to the customer. They're the one's that ultimately make the difference."

Kitchen Tip - A Cooking Essential

What's the one thing that every kitchen needs? Take it from a professional: oil. Sebastian advises, "Oil is always an essential ingredient in any cooking. If you're making a salad, you need a good quality olive oil. For me, oil is a major ingredient." Luckily for Northern Beaches customers, The Village Grocer has a great selection. "We've got a great range of Italian, Greek, Spanish and Australian olive oils!" Angelo beams.

Are you getting hungry? With the largest local fresh fruit and vegetables selection and an unmatched gourmet deli with homemade specialties, The Village Grocer at the new Stockland Mall in Balgowlah is a fun destination to find new foods, get the best from around the world and benefit from quality service only a family store can offer.

Eat Well and Live Well At The Village Grocer Balgowlah... Where Taste Matters!