Fantes Kitchen
| Type | Kitchen supply store |
|---|---|
| Address | 1006 South 9th Street |
| Map | View on Google Maps |
| Neighborhood | Italian Market |
| Phone | (215) 922-5557 |
| Website | Official site |
| Established | 1906 |
| Founder | Domenico Fante |
| Owner | Fante family |
| Hours | 9 AM - 5 PM (Tuesday-Saturday) |
| Products | Kitchen equipment, cookware, specialty tools |
| Status | Active |
Fante's Kitchen Wares Shop sits at 1006 South 9th Street in the Italian Market, and it's genuinely legendary. Founded in 1906 by Domenico Fante, an immigrant from Abruzzo, Italy, it's one of America's oldest kitchen supply stores. What makes it special isn't just the comprehensive selection of professional-grade cookware and hard-to-find Italian equipment, though that's certainly impressive. For more than a century, home cooks and professional chefs have been coming here for quality tools and real expertise.[1]
History
Origins (1906)
Domenico Fante had a simple idea in 1906: good cooking requires the right tools.
He'd come from Abruzzo with nothing. Started by selling basic housewares and kitchen items to the Italian Market community. The store grew from there.
The foundation:
- Immigrated from Abruzzo, Italy
- Originally sold housewares and kitchen items
- Served Italian Market community
- Grew into specialty kitchen store
Multi-Generational Business
Over a hundred years. Same family. That's not common anymore.
The Fante family never sold out. They didn't go corporate. Each generation added something while keeping what made the place work in the first place.
Family succession:
- Domenico Fante: Founder
- Subsequent generations maintained and expanded
- Over 100 years of family ownership
- Current generation continues tradition
Evolution
Starting out, you sold pasta boards and basic pots. That was enough.
By the 1950s, the store still focused on Italian cooking essentials and neighborhood customers. Then everything shifted. The 1960s brought expansion, specialty equipment, and eventually a national reputation. These days, people visit from around the country and shop online too.
1906-1950s:
- Basic kitchen supplies
- Italian cooking essentials
- Neighborhood focus
1960s-Present:
- Expanded specialty selection
- Professional equipment
- National reputation
- Online sales
The Selection
Italian Specialty Equipment
This is where Fante's truly shines. Italian cooking tools are everywhere, and they're real.
Pasta machines. Hand-crank, electric, whatever you need. Ravioli forms and cutters. Pasta boards. Drying racks. They've got it all because they understand pasta.
Pasta making:
- Pasta machines (hand-crank and electric)
- Ravioli forms and cutters
- Pasta boards and rolling pins
- Drying racks
Then there's espresso. Moka pots in every size you could imagine. Proper espresso cups. Coffee accessories that actually work.
Espresso:
- Moka pots (all sizes)
- Espresso cups and saucers
- Coffee accessories
Other Italian essentials:
- Pizzelle irons
- Cannoli forms
- Tomato strainers
- Cheese graters
Baking Equipment
Professional-grade bakeware fills entire shelves here. Specialty pans you won't find everywhere. Decorating supplies. Pastry tools that matter.
Comprehensive baking selection:
- Professional-grade bakeware
- Specialty pans
- Decorating supplies
- Pastry tools
Cookware
Cast iron. Copper. Stainless steel. Non-stick. The variety is serious and it's all quality.
Quality cookware:
- Cast iron
- Copper
- Stainless steel
- Non-stick options
Cutlery
Knives and cutting:
- Professional chef knives
- Italian knives
- Sharpening equipment
- Cutting boards
Hard-to-Find Items
Looking for something obscure? A vintage-style gadget? Ethnic cooking tools? Professional-grade equipment that's actually hard to locate?
Specialty tools:
- Vintage-style equipment
- Ethnic cooking tools
- Professional-grade items
- Obscure kitchen gadgets
If it's for cooking, they've probably got it in stock somewhere.
The Experience
The Shop
1006 South 9th Street
Walking in, you're hit with inventory. Floor-to-ceiling shelves packed densely with tools and equipment. There's nothing modern or minimalist about it. Everything's visible. Everything's accessible.
Atmosphere:
- Floor-to-ceiling inventory
- Densely packed shelves
- Old-school retail experience
- Tools everywhere
Staff Knowledge
The people working here actually know what they're talking about. They've cooked. They've used this stuff. They can point you toward exactly what you need and explain how to use it properly.
Expert assistance:
- Knowledgeable staff
- Cooking expertise
- Equipment recommendations
- Usage guidance
That kind of help is increasingly rare in retail.
Browsing
Give yourself time when you visit. Don't rush. You'll find things you didn't know existed. Ask questions. Get inspired. That's how Fante's works best.
The experience:
- Allow time to explore
- Discover items you didn't know you needed
- Ask questions
- Get inspired
Italian Market Location
Heart of the Market
You can't separate Fante's from the Italian Market. It sits among food vendors. Di Bruno Bros. is nearby. So is Sarcone's Bakery. The whole thing makes sense as a system.
Context:
- Surrounded by food vendors
- Near Di Bruno Bros., Sarcone's Bakery
- Complements food shopping
- Buy ingredients, buy equipment
Market Shopping
The ideal day? Grab cheese at Di Bruno's. Pick up bread at Sarcone's. Then hit Fante's for whatever equipment you need. Head home and cook something real.
Complete experience: 1. Buy cheese at Di Bruno's 2. Get bread at Sarcone's 3. Pick up equipment at Fante's 4. Go home and cook
Cultural Significance
Immigrant Heritage
Fante's shows what Italian immigrants built here. It's about craft. It's about quality. It's about keeping traditions alive while running a real business.
- Italian immigrant success
- Craft and quality values
- Family business tradition
- Cultural preservation
Cooking Culture
This place has always been about supporting home cooking. You can't maintain culinary standards without proper tools. Fante's provides them.
Supporting home cooking:
- Enabling traditional techniques
- Providing proper tools
- Maintaining standards
- Inspiring cooks
National Recognition
Food magazines have featured it. Chefs recommend it. People travel from across the country just to shop here. That's earned its place as one of America's great kitchen stores.
- Featured in food magazines
- Recommended by chefs
- Culinary tourism destination
- One of America's great kitchen stores
Online and Shipping
National Reach
You don't have to visit in person anymore, though you should. The website fantes.com has the full catalog. They'll ship across the US. Hard-to-find items that might take weeks elsewhere? Often in stock here.
Website: fantes.com
- Full catalog online
- Ships across the US
- Hard-to-find items accessible
- Gift options
Tips for Visitors
How to Shop
Come with time to browse. Bring a list, but stay open to discoveries. Talk to the staff. They'll steer you right. The Italian equipment is what they specialize in, so don't skip that section.
What to buy:
- Pasta machines (excellent selection)
- Moka pots (all sizes)
- Specialty Italian tools
- Professional cookware
Timing
Open Tuesday through Saturday. Mornings are quieter if you prefer that. Market Saturdays? Busy. But worth it.
See Also
References
- ↑ "Fante's Kitchen Wares Shop". Fante's. Retrieved December 31, 2025