French-Italian Import Co. Owner Ghanshyam “Sammy” Patel.

French-Italian Import Co.
4 Circular Avenue
Hamden, CT

Square footage: 1,000

Years in operation: 23 years

By Sara Capozzi

Located in a unique historic art deco building in Hamden’s Chimney Square, French-Italian Import Co. has been in operation for the past 80 years. From its beginnings as an importer to its current iteration as a package store, the shop offers a variety of products from around the world and something for everyone.

Local businessman and Owner Ghanshyam “Sammy” Patel has carried on the shop’s legacy since he purchased it in April of 2002. Shortly after moving to the U.S. from India, Patel entered the package store industry, purchasing his first shop, East Rock Package Store, in 1992. He managed East Rock daily for decades until he sold it in 2021, freeing up more time to focus on French-Italian Import Co.

Since then, Patel has improved the shop—while keeping some of its classic elements intact—repainting the lettering on the store’s outdoor sign and has begun to reorganize items. He also continuously curates his selection, stocking inventory based on recommendations from salespeople and customers. He doesn’t hesitate to take customer orders if he doesn’t have something in stock.

The shop has a dedicated group of regulars who hail from the area. “It’s a good neighborhood, good clientele,” Patel said. “I’m good to my customers and they’re good to me.” He gives guests friendly customer service and is on a first-name basis with many of his habitual shoppers, getting to know them and their tastes well. While Patel gets plenty of foot traffic from the neighborhood, there is also a convenient parking lot for customers passing through the area by car.

According to Patel, sales at French-Italian Import Co. are split equally between RTDs and beer, spirits and wine. The shop stocks a solid inventory in all categories, offering “a little bit of everything” to appeal to a wide range of customer tastes. Some of the store’s most popular categories include ready-to-drink beverages, IPAs, tequila and bourbon. The range of spirits includes a variety of tequilas, with Don Julio, Patrón, Milagro and Espolòn counted among them, and plenty of whiskeys, counting Kentucky bourbon and Scotch as top sellers, and allocated bourbons from Eagle Rare and Blanton’s.

French-Italian Import Co. also offers a range of local craft and big-name beer selections such as Michelob, Corona, Modelo and Sam Adams. In wines, customers tend to reach for brands including Kendall-Jackson, 19 Crimes, Barefoot, Sutter Home Family Vineyards and 90+ Cellars. La Marca Prosecco and Moët Champagnes also sell well, he said, noting the sparkling wine section and its wood racks.

Patel keeps track of customers’ buying habits and stocks his inventory based on what his clientele requests and what sells well all while maintaining low prices, a combination that keeps shoppers happy and coming back. In the near future, Patel plans to continue to update the shop, while he also manages North Haven’s Sammy’s Package Store, located next to the famous State Street Café.