Albuquerque Original Townsite in Bernalillo County, New Mexico — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Champion Grocery and Meat Market

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 11, 2023

1. Champion Grocery and Meat Market Marker

Inscription. The Champion Grocery and Meat Market was established in 1904 by Italian immigrants Alessandro and Amadeo Matteucci. The store was long considered one of the finest in New Town. Alessandro Matteucci operated the store until 1938, he and his family residing upstairs. The Champion Building is one of the best remaining examples of Albuquerque's historic corner groceries, and its tile details and mosaics give it a decorative quality unlike other early groceries. Along its Seventh Street side you'll find metal horse hitching rings still embedded in the concrete.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 35° 5.236′ N, 106° 39.28′ W. Marker is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Bernalillo County. It is in Albuquerque Original Townsite. Marker is at the intersection of 7th Street Northwest and Tijeras Avenue Northwest, on the right when traveling north on 7th Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 624 7th St NW, Albuquerque NM 87102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Champion Grocery Building (here, next to this marker); Thomas F. Keleher, Jr. House (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); J.H. O'Rielly House (about 700 feet away);

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J.E. Saint House (about 800 feet away); W.E. Mauger House (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Pearce House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grunsfeld Hubbell House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Skinner Building (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Albuquerque.

Regarding Champion Grocery and Meat Market. From the Albuquerque Community Foundation, which now owns and occupies the building:

In 1904, Alessandro Matteucci and Pio Lommori built and opened Lommori and Matteucci Grocery. After Pio left in 1907, the store was renamed Champion Grocery and remained in operation until the 1950s. As was the custom, the upstairs was built as the store owner’s residence. An early expansion doubled the store space and added apartments above. The building remained in use with offices on the street level and residential above until 2010, when owners Paul and Patty Marionetti donated the property to the Albuquerque Community Foundation. The gift came with one stipulation: that it be renovated and used to house the Foundation offices.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, October 11, 2023

2. Champion Grocery and Meat Market Marker

Featured marker is on the right.

Champion Grocery and Meat Market image. Click for full size.

via Center for Southwest Research, University Libraries, University of New Mexico (Public Domain), circa 1910

3. Champion Grocery and Meat Market

Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 14, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 3. submitted on November 15, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.