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After 65 years in business under three generations of the Cardullo family, the eponymous specialty shop and deli in Harvard Square is changing hands, likely in August, Cambridge Day reports.
The couple purchasing the business, Kim and Richard Wilson, are "a family who will carry on a family business," part-owner Donez Cardullo-Tavilla told the paper. The Wilsons come from a corporate background, with previous experience managing a grocery store with the BJ's Wholesale Club chain. Kim Wilson told the Day she and her husband want to leave the corporate world, and Richard added they plan to "manage Cardullo's as Cardullo's. It is our great fortune to carry on that legacy."
Cardullo's was opened by Cardullo-Tavilla's and co-owner Francesca Cardullo's grandfather, Frank N. Cardullo, in 1950. The elder Cardullo, known as "the unofficial Mayor of Cambridge," also ran Wursthaus at the time.
The shop is a destination for imported items, including chocolate, coffee, cheese, and wine; gourmet salts, oils, anitipasti, preserves, and more; as well as local products, like Night Shift beer and Vermont maple syrup. It also has a menu of deli sandwiches made to order on locally-baked breads.
The Wilsons are already pulling shifts at Cardullo's in preparation to take it over. Pending state approval of the package store license transfer, the parties hope the sale is finalized in August, the Day reported. While the business is valued at $1 million, the Cardullos are selling for $775,000 with an additional $100,000 in inventory, because both families are eager to see the deal through, Cardullo-Tavilla said.
