In the early ’70s, Imma and Mario’s Continental Deli introduced olive oil, pasta, European cheeses and coffee to some Adelaide residents for the first time, while providing many others with a rare taste of home. Over the decades, that humble deli grew into local institution and enduring Italian emporium Mercato, which celebrated its 50th birthday in 2022.
Now it’s embarking on the next chapter: a new store in North Adelaide, which will be the flagship tenant of the Eighty Eight O’Connell redevelopment – a three-tower residential and retail complex – on the long-vacant old Le Cornu site.
The new store, which is due to open along with the redevelopment in 2025, will span 850 square metres – a similar footprint to the Campbelltown site – occupying the ground floor of the Tynte Street tower.
“We can’t wait to share our family’s rich history as dedicated, personable and community-minded retailers,” Mercato managing director John Caporaso said in a press release.
“Our plan is to replicate the Campbelltown store with everything retail whilst emphasising our hospitality offering. This includes additional Mercato ready-made meals and other staple food groups such as fresh seafood, seasonal produce, and butchery to make it a real market.”
There’ll also be a strong showing of wines from all over the world, including France, Germany, New Zealand and other premier wine regions.
Mercato North Adelaide will open in mid-2025 on O’Connell Street. It’s expected to operate seven days a week, from 7.30am to 10pm.
