Construction is set to begin soon for an expansion of Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace on Schoolcraft College’s campus. The local premium fruit market and grocer will be built between the Visatech Center and the Jeffress Center, replacing a portion of the north parking lot. The building will integrate with Schoolcraft’s culinary and business programs, and will serve nearby communities with fresh and prepared foods in a storefront on Haggerty Road near Seven Mile.

A multigenerational family business with roots in Terrasini, Italy, Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace has grown into a thriving local establishment, said Leo Salvaggio, the company’s CEO. With locations across the metro Detroit area, the company has a strong foothold in the region. As times change, Salvaggio is looking to new avenues of success. “I believe the future is in prepared foods. Everyone wants convenience, but they shouldn’t have to sacrifice quality,” he explained. “A future goal of Nino Salvaggio is to offer healthy, delicious prepared foods for the community alongside our produce.”

This goal led to an exciting opportunity for collaboration with Schoolcraft College. With a renowned culinary program, the prospective partnership presented a valuable opportunity, Salvaggio explained. 

“The goal here at Schoolcraft College is to take Nino Salvaggio from a fruit market store to a culinary experience… Where else have you seen anything like this? It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity for us to learn from students and for the students to learn from us.”

Schoolcraft President, Dr. Glenn Cerny shared his enthusiasm for the partnership. 

“It’s the student experiences that draw students to Schoolcraft College. You’re having experiential learning, you are doing real life things… Nino Salvaggio coming to campus is another way for our students to get real work experience.” He expressed hope that the partnership would benefit Schoolcraft’s culinary program for years to come and integrate seamlessly into the school’s business programs. 

Cerny also detailed the major financial resources this partnership would bring to Schoolcraft, including rent paid by Nino Salvaggio for use of the school’s land and the Salvaggio-funded construction of a new parking lot along Haggerty road. The income generated will fund improvements across campus and support various programs. Future updates to the Liberal Arts building and repairs to the adjacent parking lot may also be considered. 

The cementing of a partnership between Schoolcraft and Nino Salvaggio was neither easy nor quick— the two groups worked behind the scenes for months before making a public announcement. 

“These deals,” Cerny explained, “like the Trinity deal, took a few months. These things take time because each of them is unique. But in the endgame, it’s very positive for the college.”

“It’s like a relationship,” Salvaggio said. “It’s hard work; you can’t go to bed angry… We’ve created a great relationship.” Both Cerny and Salvaggio cited financial difficulties and the collaborative process as hurdles that were eventually overcome; culminating in the announcement of a nonbinding memorandum on March 6 and an official groundbreaking on November 7, publicly finalizing the project and rewarding the combined effort.

Construction has yet to begin in earnest. “In every project you have a key pathway. For this project, that pathway is the completion of the parking lot,” Cerny said. The completion of this parking lot will allow construction of the Nino Salvaggio location to progress without significant impact on students and faculty, he explained. As soon as the lot is finished contractors will begin work on the new building.

Cerny speculated that integrating the college’s educational experiences into the business could begin as early as next January. 

“We’re going to need nine to twelve months to really work through the scenarios… the Curriculum Office is going to have to figure out how this will change the curriculum,” he explained. “There’s due diligence that has to be done but I’d expect it will begin in January.”

Salvaggio expressed excitement for the involvement of students in the new store, which will feature a classroom along with opportunities to engage with the business. “We’re going to have students in the store, learning how to order shipments, learning about human resources, learning all the stuff you need to know to be successful in this business… I like raising people up,” Salvaggio added, a subtle echo of Schoolcraft’s own motto, “Look Ever Upward.” It’s a motto both Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace and Schoolcraft College can pass onto future generations— together.

For more information on Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace, construction updates, and important events, visit the Schoolcraft Connection’s website for additional stories at www.schoolcraftconnection.com.