Fresh Produce You Can’t Get Elsewhere

There’s no telephone inside Alba Produce.

And there’s no sign hanging outside the business located at 18 Parmenter Street.

“There was never a phone or a sign here so I kept it the same,” said owner Albie Alba. “People know I’m here through word of mouth.”

Alba Produce, open year-round Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., offers pasta, canned goods and refrigerated ravioli among other things.

Albie’s specialty, however, is fresh fruit and vegetables.

“I carry many items some of which are organic,” he said. “I carry a lot of items in the shop that you can’t really get in other stores.”

Albie pointed out a few things in the shop such as rape, baby artichokes, cardone, homemade vinegar peppers and a few other vegetables.

“This is the oldest fruit store in the North End,” he said. “I shop at The Chelsea Market every day to bring fresh produce to the North End.”

History of the shop

He has owned Alba Produce for the past 18 years.

“It was my next-door neighbor’s called Rosario’s,” Albie said. “He had the shop for about 40 years.”

Albie met Rosario Mogoverro in Revere.

“That’s where I grew up and lived right across the street from Rosario,” he said.

He worked for Rosario eight years before taking over the business.

“One day, Rosario decided to retire,” Albie said. “My shop is very nostalgic and during the time I was helping Rosario we used to heat the place with a wood-burning stove.”

About the owner

Albie currently lives in Saugus but decided to work in this neighborhood for specific reasons.

“I like the people in the North End because they’re friendly and family-oriented,” he said.

Albie has been gardening his entire life.

“I learned from my grandfather and Rosario,” he said.

And Albie is happy with the business and what he can provide.

“Customers come into the shop every day from the time I open until the time I close,” he said. “Customers should always ask me what I have in the walk-in refrigerator because that’s where I keep all of my herbs and most of my greens.”

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