Our History | Becco's Italian Sausage

In 1939, after more than a decade of working for other grocers, Frank Becco opened Becco's Market at 100 E. Main St. in Iron Mountain, Michigan.

He bought the former saloon building from Mr. Suino, stocked its shelves and began serving the families of the "Nort Side." With the dedicated help of his wife, Tillie, the young business quickly flourished. The everyday essentials were always on hand, but Becco's Market became known for its fresh meats and Italian specialties. Prosciutto, capocollo, soppressata, ricotta, bulk pasta, homemade porketta and, of course, the finest sausage in the country became mainstays.

Tom joined the business in 1948. At just 14 years old, Becco's new delivery boy learned to drive the "company" car, sitting up tall in the seat to avoid suspicion. He worked in the store after school and on weekends. After graduating and serving two years in the U.S. Army in Germany, Tom joined Frank in the store full time. The two worked side by side, six days a week, until Frank "retired" in 1981. Although he officially handed the reins to Tom, Frank kept working in the store until shortly before he passed away in 1991.

Inside Becco's Market in 1939, with Frank Becco behind the counter and young Tom beside the stove — Tom and Frank in 1939

Customers lined up at the counter of Becco's Market at Christmas time — The final Christmas rush

Over the years, demand for the sausage grew faster than the store could make it. At Christmastime, the lines were long, and 200 pounds would sell out in about 20 minutes each morning. A few loyal customers were even known to show up still in their pajamas, just to get a pound or two!

When Tom retired in July 2005, the market closed after 66 years as an Iron Mountain fixture. It was the end of an era, but not the end of Becco's sausage. The family licensed a single producer in Michigan's Upper Peninsula to make and distribute it on their behalf. Neither the recipe nor the business was ever sold, so the secret recipe, made with only the highest-quality pork and spices, remains unchanged and in the Becco family.

Sadly, Tom passed away in June 2006. We honor his, Frank's and Tillie's years of hard work with a promise: every pound of Becco's sausage will be made exactly as it always has been, following the family's secret recipe. The Becco name is still stamped on every package as a guarantee of authenticity, and the taste will always be the same one customers have enjoyed since 1939.

"The Becco family is absolutely thrilled to have our sausage return home, to again be made right here in Iron Mountain." Jim Becco

To all of our customers, past and present: thank you for your loyalty.

Tom and Frank Becco in aprons inside Becco's Market, 1989 — Tom and Frank in 1989

Milestones

1939
Frank Becco opens Becco's Market at 100 E. Main St., Iron Mountain.
1948
Tom joins the business as the delivery boy at age 14.
1981
Frank "retires" and hands the reins to Tom, but keeps working in the store.
2005
Tom retires in July, and the market closes after 66 years. The recipe is licensed, never sold.
2015
Becco's Italian Sausage returns home and is once again made in Iron Mountain.