While Central Avenue has seen several businesses come and go over the years, P&G Foods has been a mainstay on the thoroughfare since owners Patty and Gary Damico opened their doors in November of 1993. Now after nearly 25 years in business, the Damicos are looking forward to their retirement and plan to close on Oct. 31 or until everything is sold.

“We’re looking forward to enjoying time with our family,” Gary said. “We have two sons who work at Geico and our daughter is a kindergarten teacher here in Dunkirk at School No. 4. We also became grandparents last year!”

Last week, the Damicos shared the news of their retirement with their employees, and word is continuing to spread. “We’ve had lots of people call us up, crying about the news,” Patty said. “We’re really grateful to our many, many wonderful customers.”

Although the Damicos have owned and operated their store at 411 Central Avenue for 25 years, their retail experience extends beyond that.

“We both have 46 years in retail,” Gary explained. “We first worked at Twin Fair and then Fresh Mart in Fredonia, which we later owned. This building had been a Tops and Dunkirk Market, and was closed for seven years until we bought it in July of 1993. There was quite a bit of work to do before we could open that November.”

Gary confirmed that the store’s name is indeed the couple’s first initials. “You’d be surprised how many people don’t know that,” he laughed. “A lot of people come in thinking we’re a chain and ask where the other P&G locations are. It’s just us.”Retail has changed considerably since 1993, but despite the establishment of larger chain stores in the area, P&G Foods has done well.

“We have never been worried about Wal-mart, actually. We’re a neighborhood store, and we offer other things. We have our bakery and we do a great lunch business with our snack bar. We also have a great deli and do a lot of specialty cuts that people have come to love,” Gary pointed out.

Patty agreed, and referenced Maridel Plaza, the meat department manager.

“She’s the best cutter this side of the Mississippi,” Patty declared.

Gary referenced several other services his store has become known for. The store sells one of the area’s largest displays of instant tickets and other New York Lottery games, has a utility bill payment center and is also a Coach USA bus stop, where passengers can buy tickets to Buffalo and Jamestown.

“What’s really hurt us is the decline of the city,” Gary reflected. “We’ve lost a lot of businesses like Ehler’s, Old Sarge’s, the bank on the corner. And then there was that major fire that devastated the city. A lot of people that were here are just gone now, and finding out the hospital is moving out was just one more thing.”

Both the business and the building are for sale, although Gary said that there are no firm commitments at this time. This week is the last week of full sale items, and beginning in October, all items will be discounted.

“We’re starting with 30 percent off during the first week and then 50 percent off the second week. After that, we’ll be doing 70 percent off until everything is gone,” Gary stated. “A lot of our bakery and deli items are gone now, but there are lots of gifts and groceries that people can get. It’s a great time to stock up and also get ready for the holidays.”

The store has already been receiving calls from customers wishing to place baked goods and roast beef orders for the holidays; however, Gary said that orders are no longer accepted. As for the P&G traveling trailer that customers have come to love, Gary said they may continue to grill hot dogs and do their usual circuit. However, catering services will end with the store’s closing.

Patty and Gary said they will miss their customers the most.

“We have our regulars — some of them we see every morning,” Gary said. “We’ve dedicated our lives to this because we wanted to make it work and we did. We’re by no means rich, but this business has been profitable and we’ve put three kids through college. We’ve been able to make a good living here, and we’re very grateful.”

He and Patty invite everyone to stop in and say “goodbye” during the store’s final weeks of business.

OBSERVER Photo by Mary Heyl
P&G owners Patty and Gary Damico are grateful to their dedicated staff for all of their hard work over the years. Pictured from left are Patty Damico, Gary Damico, Bruce Hawkins, Gary’s assistant; Maridel Plaza, meat department manager; and Christina Ayala, sales associate.

OBSERVER Photo by Mary Heyl
P&G owners Patty and Gary Damico are grateful to their dedicated staff for all of their hard work over the years. Pictured from left are Patty Damico, Gary Damico, Bruce Hawkins, Gary’s assistant; Maridel Plaza, meat department manager; and Christina Ayala, sales associate.