When I was adopted and brought home October 16,1987, as an excited 8-year-old, our first stop in this new life and adventure was Santoni’s. My mother proudly brought me in and said that I could get anything I wanted, no limits. This is a huge thing to say to a little girl who grew up in an orphanage, and hence the addiction begins. Never did I ever imagine how big Santoni’s would be in my and my children’s lives.
As a little kid it felt like we were there every day, or at least every Friday, after Sacred Heart let out at 3. The store felt huge and it wouldn’t take me anytime at all to find what I wanted. I would ask my mom if I could go window shopping at the stores in the rest of the shopping center, and of course the answer was yes. Santoni’s was 1/4th of its size with a gift shop, the bank, cleaners, and other stores.
I started having kids in 2002, and I also moved. I was away for 2.5 years and missed the one place that showed community. Santoni’s was one of the main reasons I came back, not only did I come back to Maryland, but I moved exactly 1 mile from where I grew up. The tradition went on passing down my love of a Community Store that always had my back, always cheering for my successes and bringing to life every birthday and special occasion cake you can imagine.
Then the day came, Expansion Day. Oh, my goodness I hated it. I swore that anyone and everyone would get lost in Santoni’s. Eventually I got used to the expansion and was happy that they were able to have even more things to get addicted too. Later, I learned how “expanded” they had gotten, not only did they take over half the shopping center, but they also even went across the street! I didn’t know for a long time what Santoni’s was. Here I thought it was a small grocery store that you could get emergency items, and a deli. Not knowing that it was so much more, like catering and the best thing yet, Saturdays with their well-known pit beef! When I got married, Santoni’s was the only option, never once did I consider anywhere else.
When Covid hit, our little community came out in droves to keep our little postage stamp alive. Santoni’s not only survived but was able to adapt to the current conditions. Doing deliveries, making sure that both staff and customers were safe, and always, and I mean always wearing a smile no matter what that day brought.
Today the love of Santoni’s is shared by my twin boys Ben and Zach. Always trying to make me poor by insisting that we get something from Santoni’s. Making sure that we always have a free drink card, always getting the chocolate covered strawberries, and all the different cakes and cookies.
Saying Hi to Dinn at the sushi stand (who remarkably remembers all the orders from the past.), ordering the same turkey sandwiches with mayo, extra turkey, and pickles, not toasted (every single time). Counting the seconds it takes Dontae to find us when we arrive (You would think there was a bell that went off when we arrived in the back, he’s quick.) The rest of the crew is amazing.
Pam, Jamal and Lynn are always welcoming when we are rushing to the soda machine, Trey (In the meat department) always has a warm greeting for my boys and I, and I would like to think that the deli crew fights over who gets to take our orders (Johanna, Lynette and Andrea), when I get that craving for forbidden sweets, Angela and the crew in the bakery are always prompt in asking if you need any help. Finally, the managers (Rick, Gabe, Mark and Lou) are always helpful and understanding. Always making sure that you’re taken care of and that you come out feeling like family. Never is there a long wait, there is always someone saying hello and asking how your day is going.
I believe that Santoni’s has become and has been the staple of Glyndon. Glyndon wouldn’t be what it was without it. A store that was built by and with the community. A nostalgic feeling with the stone bridge, the train station with a working train that brings to life a history most only finds in books
I did a paper on the history of Glyndon and was stunned to find that Santoni’s was only 40 years old. It seems to me like it has always been a part of Glyndon. I can imagine the towns folk In the 1800’s, waiting for their loved ones at the train station at the end of a busy and hot day in the city, having kids or the help running to Santoni’s for that last minute item, and then hurrying home, stirring up the dust on the dirt road. Santoni’s would have been the gossip center of the town. Want to know something? Go to Santoni’s. I am sure it’s like that for some who live in the town, but even if you don’t live in Glyndon, you can feel the breath of community that comes from this little store.
I am sure a lot of you will agree that Santoni’s is truly a blessing to everyone that comes in, by ensuring quality groceries, fresh produce and baked goods to their patrons. What you may not have known is that Santoni’s has embraced the environmental issues our community faced from day one. Waste Reduction, Eco-Friendly Packaging, Food Waste Recycling, and Local sourcing and Operations, all while providing jobs to the local community. In addition, they bring their freshness to local food banks, so no one is without the experience that I call Santoni’s.
I hope to keep the tradition alive by bringing not only my children but also start the tradition with my grandkids. With that being said, I hope that you reading this also know and feels how special this pride of Glyndon is, and will start your own tradition.
