Solari's

Solari's

Company type	Private
Industry	Grocery
Founded	January 1, 1863 (1863-01-01)
Founder	Joseph B. Solari
Defunct	1965 (1965)
Headquarters	New Orleans , United States
Products	Imported groceries, deli counter items

Solari's was a distinguished specialty grocery establishment located in New Orleans, Louisiana, operating for nearly a century before closing its doors in 1965. Founded by Joseph B. Solari, an Italian immigrant who arrived in the United States in the late 1840s, the store was renowned for its selection of high-quality imported food products.

History

Joseph B. Solari emigrated from Genoa, Italy to Iberville Parish, Louisiana during the late 1840s, subsequently relocating to New Orleans. Like many Italian immigrants of that era in New Orleans, he entered the foodservice sector. During the midst of the American Civil War—with sources citing either 1863 or 1864 as the founding year—Solari established his grocery store in the French Quarter. This venture began at the corner of Royal Street and St. Louis Street under the name J.B. Solari & Sons.

From its inception, Solari's focused on offering premium imported groceries. Shortly after opening, Joseph brought his two sons into the enterprise: Angelo Solari managed business operations and customer relations, while Joseph Solari, Jr. traveled extensively to secure sources for quality imported goods. As Joseph B. Solari became more involved with the local Italian benevolent society, his sons assumed greater responsibility for running the store.

Over its hundred years of business, Solari's relocated several times and expanded with additional branches. In 1870, it moved to 45 Royal Street (later renumbered to 229 Royal Street). At this stage, it operated as the A. M. and J. Solari Grocery Company. The store briefly shifted to 4 St. Charles Avenue before returning to Royal Street at Iberville Street’s intersection. A second outlet was also opened at 75 Camp Street.

File:Solairi's Elite Brand English Breakfast Tea label.png

Solairi's Elite Brand English Breakfast Tea label

In the 1880s, Solari's launched a wholesale division at 22 Magazine Street. After an 1884 fire destroyed their main location, architect Thomas Sully was commissioned to design a new four-story grocery building at Royal Street. Innovatively, Solari's introduced telephone communication between its stores and accepted customer orders via phone. Additionally, a satellite outlet operated within the Maison Blanche Department Store on Canal Street.

For much of its existence, Solari's featured a deli counter serving breakfast and lunch to local residents and workers nearby.

The company’s advertising consistently employed the slogan “Everybody Shops at Solari’s.”

In 1902, ownership changed hands, though dedication to fine imported foods persisted. Some accounts suggest members of the Solari family remained involved until the 1920s. Under new proprietors, expansion continued through additional locations and relocations within the French Quarter.

In May 1950, celebrated food critic Clementine Paddleford praised Solari's in Gourmet (magazine), describing it as one of America's finest grocery stores.

By the 1960s, Solari's experienced a sharp decline as residential population in the French Quarter dwindled due to increasing tourism dominance and competition from supermarkets elsewhere in New Orleans. After roughly one hundred years of operation, Solari's ceased business in 1965. As of 2024, the former site is occupied by Mr. B's Bistro.