About Mama Russo's

Mama Russo’s has been a familiar part of the Negaunee/Ishpeming community since 1938!

  • 1908- Carmello & Rosalie Russo immigrate to the Negaunee/Ishpeming area from Sicily.
  • 1908-1948 Carmello works in the mines for over 40 years and passes on his passion for gardening and fresh produce while Rosalie contributes her passion for cooking and old world recipes.
  • 1900- 1940 Carmello & Rosalie become the proud parents of none children including four sons, Carmello Jr., Charlie, Tony, and Francis (Buster) and daughter Grace Russo Korhonen.
  • 1938-1942 Buster & Tony start the family grocery business selling fruits and vegetables door to door making Ishpeming their home base before relocating to Iron Street in Negaunee.
  • 1942-1945 The business shuts down as all four Russo Brothers enlist in the military to serve their country in World War II.
  • 1945-1965 After the war all four brothers reopen the business and operate in Negaunee on Iron Street.
  • 1965-1999 A brand new supermarket is opened in 1965 (the Negaunee Centennial) and operated on Jackson Street. The business is eventually operated by four cousins, George Russo, Tom Russo, Dennis Russo and John Korhonen (son of Grace Russo).
  • 1992 Grace Russo Korhonen’s son John Korhonen and his wife Jean become sole owners of the business.
  • 1999-2001 A brand new supermarket was constructed on US 41 and operated until 2002 when it was sold to Super One.
  • 2001 John & Jean develop the concept of using family recipes dating back 100 years and the expertise developed in the grocery business. The vision was to bring the old world recipes to the community through catering and the retail business.
  • 2002-2023 John &Jean built and operated Mama Russo’s into the business it is today with a passion to honor the family legacy in the company that bears its name. Mama Russo’s develops a reputation for quality products and personal service throughout the Upper Peninsula.
  • 2023 John & Jean retire when they sell the business to Focus Consumer Products.
  • 2023 Focus Consumer Products goal is to maintain the vision that John & Jean had in 2002. The recipes the Upper Peninsula has come to know and love will remain along with the existing product offerings, recipes and commitment to both the catering and retail business. The FCP team will strive to grow upon the foundation dating back to the 1930’s with a commitment to grow product offerings with an eye on honoring the Russo name that has come to mean quality across the region for almost 90 years!
Old Location up to 1965
Location built in 1965
Location Built in 1965

Focus Consumer Products goal is to maintain the vision that John & Jean had in 2002. The recipes the Upper Peninsula has come to know and love will remain along with the existing product offerings, recipes and commitment to both the catering and retail business. The FCP team will strive to grow upon the foundation dating back to the 1930’s with a commitment to grow product offerings with an eye on honoring the Russo name that has come to mean quality across the region for almost 90 years!