Our story begins with a young girl named Lina Falcione (pictured above as an adult) who hailed from the village Castel del Giudice ("Castle of Judges") in Italy. In 1918, at the tender age of 17, Lina came to America by herself. She settled in Swedeland, PA, just west of Philadelphia, where her relatives owned a store. It was there that she met her husband, Alfonso Pizza (also pictured below), who owned a bottling works, grocery store, and the first radio in Ambler, PA.

Lina Pizza wife of Alfonso Pizza
Founder of A & LP Foods.

During the Great Depression, Lina and Alfonso fed a good portion of Ambler on credit, however, they lost everything except a truck. They took a chance and used their truck to move to South Philadelphia. This enterprising, young couple soon had thriving businesses in South Philadelphia. After a summer visit to North Wildwood, they purchased the current location at 15th and New Jersey and began their grocery store and deli in 1953. Because there were no deliveries in the Wildwoods during the early 50s, Alfonso carried produce on the bus from South Philadelphia to sell in the North Wildwood store. The store was able to expand in 1957. Tragically, in 1958, Alfonso was killed as he transported produce from South Philadelphia. Lina had remained a fixture behind the counters of A & LP until her death at age 96.

We are now into our 3rd and 4th generations of family management of A & LP Foods and we are striving to continue the traditions brought down from Alfonso and Lina. If you ever wondered, "what does A & LP mean," it stands for Alfonso and Lina Pizza!

We invite you to shop at our grocery store and Italian deli, eat in our restaurant, or call for takeout or free delivery. In the meantime, take a photo tour.

(Click here for the tour)



Alfonso Pizza
Founder of A & LP Foods