For decades, regional Italian markets have been filling a niche in their communities by serving a variety of Italian products, from meats and cheeses to hoagies. Catalano Importing Co. in Scranton and Sabatelle’s Market in Pittston are among the surviving small Italian speciality markets in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Paul Catalano, owner of Catalano Importing Co., said his father started the business 93 years ago. Catalano, 75, took it over after his parents, the late Paul and Mary Catalano, died. He wanted to carry on his family’s name and tradition.