At Santoni’s Marketplace, Take Your Kids to Work Day isn’t just a once-a-year event—it’s part of who we are. Long before it became a nationally recognized day, it was simply how the Santoni family lived, worked, and grew their business together.
It all began at the original East Baltimore store, which was quite literally an extension of home—operating out of the back of their grandparents’ house. Back then, “bringing your kids to work” wasn’t planned… it just happened. Family was always part of the business, and everyone pitched in.
In those early days, the kids—Rick and Lou’s dad and uncles—took on responsibilities that were well ahead of their time. Think of them as the original grocery delivery service. Long before apps and online ordering, they were hand-delivering groceries to customers who had accounts with the store. It was personal, it was dependable, and it was powered by family.
As the business grew and the next generation took over at Santoni’s SuperMarket in Highlandtown, that tradition continued. Lou, Rick, their siblings, and cousins all spent time in the store from a young age. There was no shortcut to learning the business—they stocked shelves, cleaned floors, helped customers, and did whatever needed to be done. Those early experiences didn’t just teach them the day-to-day operations; they instilled a deep appreciation for hard work, teamwork, and community.
Fast forward to today, and not much has changed.
Now, it’s the next generation carrying on the tradition. Lou’s son, Gabe, has been coming to work with his dad for as long as he can remember. What started as tagging along has turned into a full-fledged career—Gabe is now Santoni’s Catering Sales and Event Manager, helping customers celebrate life’s biggest moments.
Rick’s children share a similar story. Having grown up around the store, they’ve each found their own way to be part of the business, continuing the hands-on learning that defines the Santoni’s experience.
At Santoni’s, Take Your Kids to Work Day is more than just a fun break from the classroom. It’s about passing down knowledge, building work ethic, and creating a sense of pride in being part of something bigger than yourself. It’s about learning by doing—and maybe even discovering a lifelong passion along the way.
So this year, as families everywhere celebrate Take Your Kids to Work Day, we’re proud to say… we’ve been celebrating it for generations.
