Joseph Calvi was an Italian immigrant who came to Middlebury and opened his business in the early 1900s. He sold candy, ice cream and fruit, as well as other things. After he died, it was operated by his daughters, and then by his grandson Blaney Blodgett. His grandson died in 1997 and Calvi's closed its doors in 1998. It was in business for over 90 years, most of it at the same location on Main Street.
Calvi's was my favorite place when I lived in Middlebury. It was a real daily gathering spot for the locals. You could get a meal, get some ice cream, a coffee or soda, chips and candy, newspapers and magazines, watch the news, even play a game of PacMan. My husband and I were in there almost everyday. I'd get a bagel, he'd get some coffee and we'd sit at the table in the window. We'd often meet up with our friend Jerry there. The interior of Calvi's was very interesting, full of all sorts of old things, and there was a long wooden counter you could sit at. After Blaney died, it continued for a year and a half, but then the family decided to close its doors.
We miss Calvi's so much. Middlebury isn't the same without it.
****
from the Rutland, Vermont Daily Herald, Oct. 22, 1953:
Middlebury, Oct. 21 - Rites for Joseph L. Calvi, Middlebury merchant for 51 years who died last night in a Burlington hospital, will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. in St. Mary's Church here.
The prominent citizen had always been a friend of Middlebury College students, helping them financially and otherwise.
He was a member of the Holy Name Society, director of the Middlebury Hotel Corporation, the Middlebury Co-operative Building & Loan Association, and the Addison County Trust Company.
He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.
Mr. Calvi was born in Turin, Italy, son of Joseph and Sarah (Gascho) Calvi. He came to the United States at the age of 15 and went to Colorado where he attended night school. He came to Middlebury in 1902, opening a store on Main St. In 1911, he moved to the store's present location.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Giovanna Calvi; two daughters, Miss Sarah Calvi of Middlebury and Mrs. Blaney Blodgett of Chestertown, N.Y; two grandchildren, Blaney and Deborah Blodgett; four brothers, Antonio of Fair Haven, James of Windsor, Edward S. of Los Angeles, and Geniso of Turin; a sister, Mrs. Francis Giaccino of Turin and nephews and nieces, one of whom is Miss Mari Tomasi, Montpelier novelist.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Calvi's was my favorite place when I lived in Middlebury. It was a real daily gathering spot for the locals. You could get a meal, get some ice cream, a coffee or soda, chips and candy, newspapers and magazines, watch the news, even play a game of PacMan. My husband and I were in there almost everyday. I'd get a bagel, he'd get some coffee and we'd sit at the table in the window. We'd often meet up with our friend Jerry there. The interior of Calvi's was very interesting, full of all sorts of old things, and there was a long wooden counter you could sit at. After Blaney died, it continued for a year and a half, but then the family decided to close its doors.
We miss Calvi's so much. Middlebury isn't the same without it.
****
from the Rutland, Vermont Daily Herald, Oct. 22, 1953:
Middlebury, Oct. 21 - Rites for Joseph L. Calvi, Middlebury merchant for 51 years who died last night in a Burlington hospital, will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. in St. Mary's Church here.
The prominent citizen had always been a friend of Middlebury College students, helping them financially and otherwise.
He was a member of the Holy Name Society, director of the Middlebury Hotel Corporation, the Middlebury Co-operative Building & Loan Association, and the Addison County Trust Company.
He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.
Mr. Calvi was born in Turin, Italy, son of Joseph and Sarah (Gascho) Calvi. He came to the United States at the age of 15 and went to Colorado where he attended night school. He came to Middlebury in 1902, opening a store on Main St. In 1911, he moved to the store's present location.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Giovanna Calvi; two daughters, Miss Sarah Calvi of Middlebury and Mrs. Blaney Blodgett of Chestertown, N.Y; two grandchildren, Blaney and Deborah Blodgett; four brothers, Antonio of Fair Haven, James of Windsor, Edward S. of Los Angeles, and Geniso of Turin; a sister, Mrs. Francis Giaccino of Turin and nephews and nieces, one of whom is Miss Mari Tomasi, Montpelier novelist.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Joseph Calvi was an Italian immigrant who came to Middlebury and opened his business in the early 1900s. He sold candy, ice cream and fruit, as well as other things. After he died, it was operated by his daughters, and then by his grandson Blaney Blodgett. His grandson died in 1997 and Calvi's closed its doors in 1998. It was in business for over 90 years, most of it at the same location on Main Street.
Calvi's was my favorite place when I lived in Middlebury. It was a real daily gathering spot for the locals. You could get a meal, get some ice cream, a coffee or soda, chips and candy, newspapers and magazines, watch the news, even play a game of PacMan. My husband and I were in there almost everyday. I'd get a bagel, he'd get some coffee and we'd sit at the table in the window. We'd often meet up with our friend Jerry there. The interior of Calvi's was very interesting, full of all sorts of old things, and there was a long wooden counter you could sit at. After Blaney died, it continued for a year and a half, but then the family decided to close its doors.
We miss Calvi's so much. Middlebury isn't the same without it.
****
from the Rutland, Vermont Daily Herald, Oct. 22, 1953:
Middlebury, Oct. 21 - Rites for Joseph L. Calvi, Middlebury merchant for 51 years who died last night in a Burlington hospital, will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. in St. Mary's Church here.
The prominent citizen had always been a friend of Middlebury College students, helping them financially and otherwise.
He was a member of the Holy Name Society, director of the Middlebury Hotel Corporation, the Middlebury Co-operative Building & Loan Association, and the Addison County Trust Company.
He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.
Mr. Calvi was born in Turin, Italy, son of Joseph and Sarah (Gascho) Calvi. He came to the United States at the age of 15 and went to Colorado where he attended night school. He came to Middlebury in 1902, opening a store on Main St. In 1911, he moved to the store's present location.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Giovanna Calvi; two daughters, Miss Sarah Calvi of Middlebury and Mrs. Blaney Blodgett of Chestertown, N.Y; two grandchildren, Blaney and Deborah Blodgett; four brothers, Antonio of Fair Haven, James of Windsor, Edward S. of Los Angeles, and Geniso of Turin; a sister, Mrs. Francis Giaccino of Turin and nephews and nieces, one of whom is Miss Mari Tomasi, Montpelier novelist.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
Calvi's was my favorite place when I lived in Middlebury. It was a real daily gathering spot for the locals. You could get a meal, get some ice cream, a coffee or soda, chips and candy, newspapers and magazines, watch the news, even play a game of PacMan. My husband and I were in there almost everyday. I'd get a bagel, he'd get some coffee and we'd sit at the table in the window. We'd often meet up with our friend Jerry there. The interior of Calvi's was very interesting, full of all sorts of old things, and there was a long wooden counter you could sit at. After Blaney died, it continued for a year and a half, but then the family decided to close its doors.
We miss Calvi's so much. Middlebury isn't the same without it.
****
from the Rutland, Vermont Daily Herald, Oct. 22, 1953:
Middlebury, Oct. 21 - Rites for Joseph L. Calvi, Middlebury merchant for 51 years who died last night in a Burlington hospital, will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. in St. Mary's Church here.
The prominent citizen had always been a friend of Middlebury College students, helping them financially and otherwise.
He was a member of the Holy Name Society, director of the Middlebury Hotel Corporation, the Middlebury Co-operative Building & Loan Association, and the Addison County Trust Company.
He was a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club.
Mr. Calvi was born in Turin, Italy, son of Joseph and Sarah (Gascho) Calvi. He came to the United States at the age of 15 and went to Colorado where he attended night school. He came to Middlebury in 1902, opening a store on Main St. In 1911, he moved to the store's present location.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Giovanna Calvi; two daughters, Miss Sarah Calvi of Middlebury and Mrs. Blaney Blodgett of Chestertown, N.Y; two grandchildren, Blaney and Deborah Blodgett; four brothers, Antonio of Fair Haven, James of Windsor, Edward S. of Los Angeles, and Geniso of Turin; a sister, Mrs. Francis Giaccino of Turin and nephews and nieces, one of whom is Miss Mari Tomasi, Montpelier novelist.
Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery.
