In January of 1907 Basilio Dente and James Catterello started in business as the Boston Fruit Store on the site that now is Coins and Hobbies. In May of 1907, Basilio bought out his partner and continued to operate from that location for the next seven or so years. Around 1915 he was located at 311 North Main Street and remained there for about six years. In early 1920 he and his wife, Mary, purchased the Smith Block, 387 North Main Street, on the corner of Maple Avenue and North Main Street. There they operated M. Dente Grocery for about twenty-five years. Mary died in 1944. After Mary’s death, her son, James (Nesto), who worked with his parents full time, became the owner of the business. James operated the business for twenty-seven years. His father, Basilio, helped out until his death in 1956. In 1972, the State of Vermont had purchased all the property at 387 North Main Street for the construction of the Interstate Access Road. It was at this time that Richard, who was working with his father, decided to purchase his remaining inventory and equipment and continue the family business. For less than a year, he was located at 355 North Main Street. In 1973 he purchased the property at 406 North Main Street and relocated Dente’s Market there, where it currently is operating today. His father helped out in the store for quite a few years. He died in 1998.
The Dente family business has always been that, a family business. Basilio and Mary had the help of their three sons, James, Nelson, and Gino. James and his wife, Clara, had the help of their four sons, Thomas, Jack, Richard, and Stephen. Richard and his wife, Lucille, had the help of their sons and daughter, Christopher, Kevin, and Karen. There have also been many employees over the past 100 years. At this time it is unknown if any of Richard’s children or grandchildren will carry on when he decides to retire. He says he has about 30 years to work on that.
