B & C Market

Overview

B & C Market is one of Fort Bragg's longtime neighborhood grocery stores, occupying the corner of East Oak and South Harrison streets.

Its history reportedly dates to 1916. Generations of nearby families, schoolchildren and workers have stopped here for groceries, candy, milk and sandwiches.

The market is especially remembered for the Cortopassi family and Bruno, whose sandwiches, jokes and familiar greetings made the little corner store a neighborhood institution.

Today, its freshly painted green exterior gives this longtime landmark a new look while preserving its grocery and deli tradition.

Location

B & C Market stands at 401 E. Oak Street, at the corner of East Oak and South Harrison streets.

Surrounded by residential neighborhoods, the market has long served families living along Harrison, Whipple and the surrounding streets.

Its simple, flat-roofed building and broad front window reflect the practical design of an old-fashioned neighborhood grocery.

History

B & C Market traces its business history to 1916, although the construction date of the present building and its earliest ownership have not been independently established.

The Cortopassi family played an important role in the market's mid-20th-century history. Residents remember Mr. and Mrs. Cortopassi, their daughter Rosie and their son Bruno working in and around the store.

Gina Cortopassi was remembered for cooking in the kitchen, while her husband tended the family garden. Bruno eventually became the face of the business for many customers, especially neighborhood children and Fort Bragg High School students.

The origin of the B & C name remains uncertain. Some longtime residents remember Bozzoli and Cortopassi, while others recall Balassi and Cortopassi. The original meaning of both initials has not been conclusively established.

During a later chapter, Wayne and Tina Thompson operated B & C Grocery for many years. Tina became known for her generous sandwiches and friendly neighborhood service.

After the Thompsons sold the business and retired, new ownership continued the market's grocery and deli tradition.

The Building Today

B & C Market continues operating as a neighborhood grocery and deli, offering sandwiches, salads, prepared foods, snacks, coffee and other everyday necessities.

A recent repaint changed the building from its familiar yellowish color to green, giving the old corner market a noticeably different appearance.

Customers have welcomed the fresh look while continuing to praise the sandwiches, deli salads and friendly service.

Community Memories

For generations of Fort Bragg residents, B & C Market was simply Bruno's.

His plain salami-and-cheese sandwiches remain among the store's strongest memories. Others recall roast beef with pepper jack, Bruno Burgers and the perfect high school lunch of a sandwich and a half-gallon of chocolate milk.

One former student remembered the Fort Bragg High School baseball team stopping for salami sandwiches before a 1972 bus trip to St. Helena.

Bruno was just as famous for his personality. Regular customers remember being greeted with playful names such as Pasquale, Matilda and Myrtle, often followed by their usual sandwich order.

Neighborhood children walked to the store for candy, ice cream, milk and groceries. Some remember receiving free slices of salami, while others recall Gina cooking, the family garden and the wonderful smell of hanging salamis.

One resident remembered using the store's telephone to call home after forgetting part of a grocery list. Another recalled being allowed to charge groceries until payday and buying her first bottle of Herbal Essence shampoo there.

The market was not without occasional disagreements. One former customer remembered an unhappy experience involving a broken toy purchased during the early 1960s.

More recent memories center on the building's transformation from yellow to green. Longtime residents have welcomed the fresh paint, while today's customers continue to praise the sandwiches, prepared foods and friendly employees.

Why It Matters

B & C Market represents a kind of neighborhood business that once existed throughout Fort Bragg.

Before large supermarkets became dominant, small corner groceries were places where families bought everyday necessities, children spent their allowances and workers stopped for lunch.

B & C was also a gathering place where customers knew the family behind the counter, regular orders were remembered and a simple sandwich could become a lifelong memory.

Its continued operation preserves a grocery tradition associated with this neighborhood for more than a century.

The fresh green paint may have changed its appearance, but generations of Fort Bragg residents still remember the little corner store as Bruno's.

Timeline

No separate timeline is documented in the existing text.