Frank’s Quality Produce Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Frank Genzale and his wife Sue at the grand opening of Frank’s Quality Produce on March 12, 1979. 

The highstall in the Corner Market building celebrated its 40th anniversary on March 12, 2019, but the Genzale Family has been at Pike Place Market much longer.

Congratulations to owner Frank Genzale and his team at Frank’s Quality Produce in Pike Place Market.

Their history spans four generations, dating back to 1928.

It all began with the now owner’s grandfather, Frank “Cheech” Genzale, who emigrated from Avellino, Italy.

Cheech and his wife Angelina grew onions, carrots, and peas on their small farm in south Puget Sound. They then sold their crops at Pike Place Market.

Their son Tony (Frank’s father) and his sons, Tony Jr. and Frank, continued to sell their family’s produce at Pike Place Market on the Daystall farm tables.

Fifty-one years after his grandparents began selling their produce at the Market, Frank and his wife Sue opened a permanent location called Frank’s Quality Produce.

The family tradition of working at Pike Place Market continues with Frank’s son. After attending Central Washington University, Frank Jr. began working with his dad.

Frank Jr. says the people he meets at the Market keep him coming back.

“People will come to you and ask for advice on how to cook with something,” he explains. “You’ll give them a recipe, and they’ll come back and thank you and think you’re a chef. Things like that can only happen at the Market, and that’s why this is such a great place to work. Once you start down here, it’s hard to leave. There’s no other job like it in the world.”