Grocery Shopping

Do you remember when Raymond was able to support several grocery stores at the same time? Our family patronized all the stores in town, and I remember the Raymond Food Market well, especially the meat counter in the back where Perry Donini wrapped up meat in white butcher paper and tied it with a string. Although Perry was super nice and friendly, as a kid, I had trouble understanding his thick Italian accent. I  always just smiled and nodded a lot when I visited his store. Perry sure was a colorful character on Main Street, and when business was slow, he kept things interesting by playing practical jokes on Merle Berle.

Below is a picture and article that appeared in The Raymond News on 10/12/78 when Perry and Isabel sold the store after over forty years of business. 

(From The Raymond News, 10/12/78)

(From Raymond's 125th Book published in 1996)

Perry Donini at the Raymond Food Market

Carlo Donini, born January 4, 1889; his wife, Valentina, born April 28, 1893; and their son, Paride (Perry), born May 4, 1912, lived together in Italy. In 1922, Carlo left his home and came to the United States along with thousands of other immigrants in search of a better life. Carlo settled in West Frankfort, where he found work in the coal mines. He was joined by his family in 1926. On October 6, 1927, Carlo and Valentina's daughter, Dorothy, was born. Carlo continued to work in the coal mines of West Frankfort for eight years.

In 1930, Carlo moved his family to Kincaid where he continued to work in the coal mines. His son, Perry, found work at the "My Store" grocery in Taylorville. Perry moved to Raymond in 1936 to start his own grocery store, the Raymond Food Market. His family joined him in 1939. It was here in Raymond that the family settled permanently. Carlo and Dorothy spent many hours helping Perry at the store. On June 8, 1948, Dorothy married Verne M. Pinkston. They also made Raymond their home.

Perry became involved in several community activities including the Raymond Volunteer Fire Department and the Raymond Gun Club. He was also involved in many area bowling leagues. He and his family were members of St. Raymond's Catholic Church.

Valentina died on January 2, 1967, and Carlo died on November 2, 1973.

On August 4, 1968, Perry married Isabel McNeal. For many years, Isabel had worked as a telephone operator for Illinois Bell. Later, she also worked in her husband's grocery store. In the summer of 1978, Perry sold the store and began his retirement. Perry died on August 14, 1986. Isabel died in November, 1992.