David James La Mantia

La Mantia’s was founded in 1928 by Joe La Mantia Sr. and his wife, Lena (nee LaRocca). Joe and Lena were immigrants to Canada from the town of Termini Immerse in the Italian province of Sicily. As immigrants, Joe and Lena had to be self-reliant and industrious to build their place in Canadian society and to ensure a prosperous future for their family.

Joe and Lena’s first store, Central Fruit Market, was located at 72 Kent Street, West in Lindsay beside what was then the Canadian Bank of Commerce. The store sold fruit and an ever increasing supply of groceries. Many of these products were delivered directly to homes using a pony and cart. In the winter the pony drew a cutter to contend with the snow. Even to this day, many old-time residents of Lindsay, recount the delivery of orders by pony.