Bazzini

Bazzini

Industry	Snack foods
Founded	1886 in New York City, New York, United States
Founder	Anthony L. Bazzini
Headquarters	Allentown, Pennsylvania
Products	Nuts Dried fruit Chocolate
Website	bazzininuts.com

The A. L. Bazzini Company, widely recognized as Bazzini, is a U.S.-based producer specializing in nuts, dried fruits, and chocolates, with its main office located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Established in 1886 in New York City, it holds the distinction of being the nation’s longest-standing nut company. The business originated on Park Place within Manhattan’s Washington Market district. Following the demolition of the market in 1968, operations were transferred to a nut-processing plant on Greenwich Street. Ownership transitioned to Rocco Damato in 1983, who has since served as CEO. The company later moved its facilities to the Bronx in 1997 and then to Allentown in 2011. Bazzini’s nuts are distributed through retail outlets as well as prominent venues such as Yankee Stadium, having supplied both the original and current stadiums since their inception in 1923. The former factory on Greenwich Street, now converted into condominiums, remains known locally as the Bazzini Building within the Tribeca West Historic District.

History

Founded by Italian immigrant Anthony L. Bazzini in 1886, the A. L. Bazzini Company operated from Park Place in Manhattan’s Washington Market area until urban redevelopment led to the market’s destruction in 1968. Rather than following many food wholesalers who relocated to the Bronx, Bazzini established itself in a dedicated six-story facility at 339 Greenwich Street.

By the year 1976, Bazzini was processing an estimated volume of peanuts sourced from Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia for roasting and blanching purposes. In addition to peanuts, its product range included Brazil nuts, cashews, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and pecans. The company maintained supply contracts with major New York venues such as Madison Square Garden, Shea Stadium, and notably Yankee Stadium, with an unbroken partnership spanning from Yankee Stadium’s original opening in 1923 through to its current iteration. Retail distribution channels included specialty stores like Zabar's.

During the mid-1970s, Bazzini gained increased public attention due to media focus on Jimmy Carter’s background as a peanut farmer during his presidential campaign.

In 1983, entrepreneur Rocco Damato acquired the company from its founding family and assumed the role of CEO. Rising expenses in Manhattan compelled the sale of portions of the Greenwich Street property while retaining retail operations onsite. Under Damato’s leadership, the retail segment expanded to feature gourmet food selections and a café. Production activities were partly shifted to North Carolina before being fully relocated. By 1997, primary processing operations had moved to Hunts Point in the Bronx while maintaining downtown retail presence.

Bazzini grew further through acquisition when it purchased Barton's Candy Company—a chocolatier established in 1940—in 2011. That same year marked the transition of manufacturing facilities to Allentown, Pennsylvania. Damato cited regulatory compliance requirements stemming from the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act as a significant factor influencing this move to a modern facility already owned by Bazzini.

In 2012, OSHA imposed a $56,000 fine on Bazzini for violations related to workplace safety at its Allentown plant.

The company’s logo features a cheerful elephant clutching a peanut. Although headquartered in Allentown, Bazzini continues to maintain offices and distribution centers in the Bronx. As of 2017, it remains recognized as the oldest nut company operating within the United States, with Damato continuing at its helm as CEO. Its product lineup encompasses nuts, nut butters, dried fruits, chocolates, and various snack items.

Bazzini Building

Located at 339 Greenwich Street, the substantial nut-processing plant known as the Bazzini Building was initially erected for John H. Mohlmann, a grocer operating in the Washington Market district. Following his passing, his estate merged four parcels of land to construct a six-story edifice, crafted by architect C. Wilson Atkins, showcasing Renaissance and Romanesque Revival architectural influences. The facade facing Greenwich Street rises higher, whereas the Jay Street side is distinguished by its larger arches.

Throughout the early 1900s, the Mohlmann family managed a wholesale grocery business within the building, renting space to multiple food wholesalers. In 1943, Bazzini purchased this property along with neighboring lots, continuing its operations at Park Place until relocating to Greenwich Street after being displaced.

Although Bazzini ceased operations in Tribeca in 1997, the building still stands and has been transformed into residential condominiums. It is included within the Tribeca West Historic District, which received its designation in 1991. The Damatos retail outlet housed in the former Bazzini structure closed its doors in 2010.