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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
Tony Caputo was working for one of Salt Lake City's largest specialty markets for years until one day he lost his job. He knew the business so well and had such strong connections he enough investors the very next day to start his own business, Tony Caputo's Market and Deli in Salt Lake City.
Fifteen years later, Caputo's has become a local favorite lunch stop with sandwiches, salads and pastas. It's grown enough there are now two more locations, one at the U and the other in the 15th and 15th business district. You can hardly find anywhere to sit during lunch or before Jazz games. The most popular sandwich is the Caputo with Prosciutto, mortadella salami, provolone, lettuce, tomato, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. A few years ago FHM magazine featured this sandwich as one of the best in the nation.
Tony's son, Matt Caputo, who is now running the business as the COO, says Caputo's has never had a down year. Every year has been their busiest. That's a big deal, especially with consumers being selecting with their dining out dollars. Restaurants in Utah are a significant economic force, representing 8 percent of total jobs in the state.
While Tony Caputo's Market and Deli still sells around 300 lunches a day, today Matt says retail sales in the specialty foods shop outweigh lunch sales. You can find a huge selection in the market, from the finest chocolates to olive oils, specialty sauces and pasta. Caputo's has been so successful they've set up a business to import and distribute their products.
Tony Caputo's Market and Deli is also gaining national recognition for their cheese cave. You won't find one anywhere else in the state, and there are only four other retail shops in the U.S. that have them. They think of it as a tool to bring European cheeses in to Utah and are so dedicated to this idea, they hired an affineur (off-in-nure), or a cheese ager, whose primary responsibility is to take care of the cheeses like they're her babies.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Tony Caputo's Market and Deli 314 W. 300 South Salt Lake City, UT 84057 1-800-999-1863 www.emergencyessentials.com
