Remembering the Cassidy and Silvani Market

Ad from Sandusky Register Star News, February 17, 1953

Silvani’s Market was located at 1614 Milan Road in Sandusky, Ohio for several years. The original store was started by Arthur Silvani’s father in law, Primo Cassidy, who was also known as Primo Cassadei. Mr. Cassidy started in the grocery business in Sandusky in 1922.

In 1935, Cassidy’s was just one of several Sandusky grocery stores that carried Kellogg’s Wheat Krispies.

An article in the April 3, 1940 issue of the Sandusky Star Journal reported that the Cassidy Super Market was to be open for public inspection, after the store had recently been enlarged. New refrigeration cases had been added, and modern display counters were in use. With the newly enlarged floor space, Mr. Cassidy offered a wider variety of grocery items for sale. He invited all shoppers to visit the store to see the improvements. There were specials on sale in every department.

By 1947, Mr. Cassidy had retired, and the market became known as Silvani’s Market, now run by Primo’s son in law Arthur Silvani.

In November of 1960, Silvani’s advertised “more big food bargains” at the market.

Arthur Silvani died on February 27, 1967, and Primo Casadei in 1971. Sandusky city directories list a Clearwater Pool Supply business at 1614 Milan Road in 1970 and 1971. Many of our parents and grandparents probably shopped at the former Cassidy or Silvani Market, which was in the heart of Sandusky’s Little Italy neighborhood.