Pennsylvania Retail Pioneer Dies at 91

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Pennsylvania retail pioneer dies at 91

February 9, 2015

Raymond Bartolacci Sr., a founder of the Laneco supermarket chain in eastern Pennsylvania, died Feb. 2 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He was 91.

Mr. Bartolacci founded the Laneco chain in the late 1940s with his brother, Guy, and during its peak time in the 1970s and 1980s, the chain had 25 Laneco and Food Lane locations in eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey. The Bartolacci brothers were considered pioneers in the retailing arena, being among the first to offer non-food items such as clothing, toys and automotive

parts in their stores. Raymond Bartolacci Sr.

The one-stop-shopping concept was a novelty at the time, and Walmart founder Sam Walton was

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said to be so intrigued by Laneco that he paid a visit to the Bartolaccis in the 1980s.

Sam Lipot, a veteran retailer who worked for the Bartolaccis for 34 years as a produce manager and produce supervisor, recalled delivering produce to Mr. Bartolacci's home for a reception in honor of Walton's visit.

Lipot called Mr. Bartolacci "a fine gentleman who had a passion for the business. He just loved it."

Lipot said he first joined Laneco when it was a four-store operation. The chain eventually grew to include 25 stores that employed approximately 2,800 people.

"But as big as it got, it was always a tight-knit, family-type atmosphere," said Lipot. "Mr. Bartolacci was always upfront and honest with everyone."

He said that the produce department was a source of pride for the chain and Mr. Bartolacci always made sure that it looked nice and was well stocked.

The brothers sold the Laneco chain to Wetterau Inc. in 1983 for $19 million. Laneco subsequently became part of the Supervalu family in 1992 and eventually was closed in 2001. Approximately half the stores became Giant supermarket locations.

Mr. Bartolacci was predeceased by his wife, Emily Rose Borgioni, in 2004. He is survived by sons Raymond A. Bartolacci Jr., and wife, Maribeth, of Jupiter, FL; Richard Bartolacci and wife, Julene, of Bethlehem Township, PA; a daughter, Rhonda Bartolacci, of Tampa, FL; grandchildren Rane, Raymond III, Tiffany, Raylene, and Renessa; great-grandchildren Ella, Harley, Zachary and Raymond IV; a brother, Ralph Bartolacci, of Upper Nyack, NY; and a sister, Philomena Azzalina, of Fort Lauderdale, FL.

A Mass of Christian Burial was scheduled for Feb. 7 in St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Easton, PA. Entombment will take place in the Bartolacci Mausoleum in Holy Savior Cemetery in Bethlehem, PA.