Sendik's Food Market in Shorewood in the 1920's

We trace our grocery store roots all the way back to 1926.

After immigrating to Milwaukee from Sant’Elia, Sicily, the Balistreri family began peddling quality fruits and vegetables by horse-drawn wagon. This began on the northeast side of Milwaukee, and eventually led to the opening of produce markets on Oakland and Downer avenues. In 1949, Grandpa Tom Balistreri — simply and affectionately known at Sendik’s as Mr. B — opened a third Sendik’s fruit and vegetable market on the corner of Silver Spring and Lake drives in the heart of Whitefish Bay. The store became known for honesty and integrity in treating customers and suppliers with courtesy and respect. The business flourished.

Before long, Tom was joined in the business by his two sons, Ted and Tom Jr. In the early 1970s, the brothers took over the operation, and in 1975, the store expanded to include groceries, meat, deli, dairy, bakery, and wine and spirits. During this time of growth, the store’s reputation for quality products and customer service grew, drawing customers from all over Milwaukee and surrounding communities. In 2001, the third generation of family owners began building on the strong, 75-year history Sendik’s had established in the community as the trusted, local grocer.

Ted’s sons — Ted, Patrick and Nick — purchased Tom Jr.’s interest in the Whitefish Bay store that year, and along with their sister Margaret, have continued to expand the business. They currently own and operate Sendik’s stores in Bayside, Brookfield – The Corners, Elm Grove, Franklin, Germantown, Grafton, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Hartland, Marquette, Mequon, New Berlin, Oconomowoc, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, West Bend and Whitefish Bay. Together they carry on the tradition set by Grandpa Balistreri of combining quality products with exceptional customer service to offer the best grocery shopping experience, period.

Sendik's Food Market Owners - Nick, Margaret Harris, Ted and Patrick

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The name Sendik’s is derived from a simple misunderstanding. As new immigrants to America, the family needed to acquire many household items. While attempting to purchase a stove, Great Grandpa Balistreri overcame the language barrier and asked the clerk to “send it” to him. To the salesman, it sounded like Great Grandpa was saying “Sendik,” which is the name that was written on the order. When the stove arrived, the delivery person asked some neighbors where he could find “Mr. Sendik.” They pointed him in Great Grandpa’s direction because they knew he was expecting a stove. Great Grandpa became known as Mr. Sendik, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Sendik’s on the Eastside

January 1, 1926

After years as selling produce from a wagon, our first store opens on Milwaukee’s east side.

Sendik’s Whitefish Bay

July 19, 1949

Our flagship store in Whitefish Bay has been proudly serving the community since 1949.

Sendik’s Wauwatosa

March 23, 2004

Second to join the Sendik’s family was our Wauwatosa store.    

Sendik’s Mequon

April 28, 2004

Our Mequon location closely followed our Wauwatosa store with an opening date of April 28, 2004.

Sendik’s Grafton

October 1, 2005

Sendik’s Grafton was the 4th store to open its doors to the community.

Sendik’s Elm Grove

September 5, 2007

Two years later, our 5th location, Sendik’s Elm Grove, was established.

Sendik’s Franklin

October 31, 2007

Sendik’s in Franklin was the first Sendik’s Food Market serving the Milwaukee southside community in October 31, 2007.

Sendik’s Greenfield

May 15, 2008

Our Greenfield store was the second Sendik’s Food Market to serve Milwaukee’s southside.    

Sendik’s Germantown

September 4, 2008

Sendik’s in Germantown was our eighth store to open it’s doors to the area on September 4, 2008.

Sendik’s New Berlin

October 14, 2010

We met our New Berlin neighbors on October 14, 2010.

Sendik’s West Bend

November 9, 2011

Our West Bend location, the furthest from all of it’s siblings, was established on November 9, 2011.

Sendik’s Bayside Fresh2GO

August 13, 2013

Our very first Sendik’s Fresh2GO convenient store opened on August 13, 2013 in Bayside, focusing on fast, fresh, grab-on-the-go quality products.

Sendik’s Hartland

May 15, 2014

The 12th Sendik’s Food Market officially opened in May 15, 2014.

Sendik’s Greendale Fresh2GO

March 14, 2017

Our second Fresh2GO location opened on March 14, 2017.

Sendik’s Brookfield – The Corners

April 23, 2017

Our location in The Corners of Brookfield opened on April 23, 2017.

Sendik’s Waukesha – Meadowbrook

June 24, 2017

We met our Waukesha neighbors on June 24, 2017.

Sendik’s Hales Corners Fresh2GO

July 7, 2017

Sendik’s Hales Corners Fresh2GO opened on July 7, 2017!

Sendik’s Marquette Fresh2GO

August 21, 2017

Sendik’s Marquette Fresh2GO opens on Marquette University’s campus!

Store Remodels

June 11, 2019

Sendik’s at The Corners of Brookfield and Hales Corners Fresh2GO undergo remodels.

Sendik’s Oconomowoc

October 19, 2022

Sendik’s Oconomowoc is the newest addition to the Sendik’s family!