Nino Salvaggio

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The new market provides gourmet products, as well as educational opportunities for students in a wide range of academic disciplines.

The wait is over.

After several years of discussions, agreements and construction, the new, 48,000-square-foot Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace at Schoolcraft College opened its doors Wednesday, March 11.

The 48,000 square-foot market – which sells a wide array of produce, flowers, groceries and plenty more – will not only serve as a retail shop but also as an educational building. Schoolcraft College students will have unique opportunities to gain real-world experience through areas of study such as culinary arts, business, supply chain management and more.

people doing ribbon cutting in front of Nino's
Members of the Salvaggio family cut the ribbon on the opening of the new marketplace, located at 18700 Haggerty in Livonia on Schoolcraft College’s campus.

”We are thrilled to partner with Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace in a collaboration that truly bridges classroom learning with real-world applications,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “Experiential opportunities like this are invaluable to our students. This partnership allows them to apply what they learn in a dynamic, fast-paced environment while building practical skills, gaining meaningful industry experience and exploring diverse career pathways. This collaboration is a powerful example of how strong community partnerships enhance student success and workforce readiness.”

A wide range of opportunities for students are available, including the opportunity for instructors for both credit and non-credit courses to use space in the marketplace for a classroom. A mural with important dates in Schoolcraft College’s history can also be found inside the market.

photo collage of Schoolcraft history
A mural inside the new Nino Salvaggio’s highlights the history of Schoolcraft College.

Groundbreaking for the store took place in November 2024. Since then, the Nino Salvaggio’s team has found ways to participate across campus, including tours of their existing stores to Culinary Arts students, participating in the College’s Spooktacular community event this past October and sponsoring the STEAM@Schoolcraft conference, which takes place March 20.

“We are incredibly proud to open our newest Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace in Livonia and being a part of such a vibrant and welcoming community, said Frank Nicolella, Co-Owner of Nino Salvaggio’s. “For generations, our family has been committed to bringing the finest quality foods, exceptional service, and a true neighborhood market experience to the communities we serve. What started as a small produce stand has grown into a destination marketplace, but our values remain the same — honoring our heritage, supporting local partners, and treating every customer like family. We look forward to building lasting relationships in Livonia and continuing the tradition of excellence that has defined Nino Salvaggio for decades.”

The market is located at 18700 Haggerty Road in Livonia on the north side of Schoolcraft College’s campus. The store is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Schoolcraft College president speaking to media camera
Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College, speaks to WXYZ-TV reporter Christiana Ford during the media preview of the new Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace.

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The partnership between Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace and Schoolcraft College will grant students in areas of study such as culinary arts, business, supply chain management and more access to real-world experiences on campus that cannot be found anywhere else.

A brand-new partnership between Schoolcraft College and Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace will feature incredible opportunities for students.

Highlighted in a recent promotional video produced by Schoolcraft College’s Media Services department, the partnership will grant students in areas of study such as culinary arts, business, supply chain management and more access to real-world experiences on campus that cannot be found anywhere else.

“We’re very excited for this new opportunity and new phase of our life with Nino’s. We’re very fortunate that we’re able to pull your students, who have a background and have a flair for the culinary arts,” said Leo Salvaggio, one of the market’s owners. “We’re going to help the students. We’re going to help the students grow and understand exactly what they’re getting into.”

The new market — which is currently under construction on the north side of Schoolcraft College’s campus along Haggerty Road — will not only provide the community with a high-class shopping experience, it will also serve as an extension of Schoolcraft College’s hands-on education. Through the partnership, guests to the market will observe students getting real-world experience in a variety of disciplines.

Curriculum ideas are already in the works for several academic departments, with students already getting hands-on experience: culinary arts students have spent time with Nino Salvaggio’s staff learning how to properly identify the right produce to take back to the market with hands-on experience at Detroit Produce Terminal.

Arielle Taylor, a full-time business instructor, said students will get a chance to directly impact operations of the market in a unique way.

“If you’re looking at a BUS 101 course, our students will be able to learn about buying patterns and what it takes to run a grocery store from start to finish,” Taylor said. “It’s exciting because our students will be able to come up with these opportunities that will get our community members to come back to campus.” Securing the academic experience for students to get this experience was a top goal of Schoolcraft College President Dr. Glenn Cerny at the beginning of the project.

“Watching the new building go up and the relationships forged between Schoolcraft College and Nino Salvaggio’s is a dream come true,” Cerny said. “Making sure our students get the best experiences is what we’re all about, and this partnership will give them the tools they need to succeed.” Nino Salvaggio’s International Marketplace is scheduled to open by the end of 2025. It will be the company’s first location in Wayne County.

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A ceremonial groundbreaking that took place Nov. 7 marks the beginning of construction for the new international marketplace on campus.

A groundbreaking marked the beginning of construction for the new Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace on the campus of Schoolcraft College.

The new market will be located in the North commuter lot on the campus of the College near the Vistatech Center along Haggerty Road. 

It will feature a wide array of gourmet goods, including produce, meats, flowers and more. It will serve as an important educational hub, providing opportunities for Schoolcraft College students in programs such as Culinary Arts and Supply Chain Management, among others.

“Having a Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace right here on campus will give all of our students real-world experience that will enhance their education,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, President of Schoolcraft College. “This marketplace will help teach our students in ways no other community college can offer. We cannot wait for our students and the community to see this wonderful addition to the campus.”

large arc entrance to a market building
A rendering of the new Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace that’s planned on the north end of the Schoolcraft College campus. The new market, which will offer several educational opportunities for students, is expected to open in 2025.

Work on the 48,100 square-foot marketplace will take place over the next several months. Construction on the new parking lot adjacent to the Vistatech Center will wrap up by December.

Founded by the late Nino Salvaggio in 1979, the company will expand its footprint to the tri-county area with the opening of the Livonia store. Nino’s children Leo Salvaggio and Andrea and Frank Nicolella continue to expand upon Nino’s legacy by building this new store and investing in the community.

“On behalf of our entire Nino’s family, we are proud to make this significant investment in the community and excited to introduce our marketplace to Schoolcraft College and the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Leo Salvaggio, one of the owners. “We’re pleased that Schoolcraft College and Nino Salvaggio share a commitment to being deeply rooted in the community we serve. We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome everyone to our newest store.”

The project is being financed by Comerica Bank. The new market is expected to open after construction wraps up in Fall 2025.

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The College has signed a non-binding memorandum to possibly bring a new facility on the north end of the campus on land currently occupied by a parking lot.

Schoolcraft College and Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace are in talks to potentially add a new retail market with educational capacities located on the College’s main campus in Livonia.

A non-binding memorandum of understanding has been signed between the two organizations to possibly bring a new facility on the north end of the campus on land currently occupied by a parking lot.

“This agreement is the first step to an exciting development here on campus,” said Dr. Glenn Cerny, president of Schoolcraft College. “Bringing Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace to campus would not only benefit our students with brand-new educational opportunities but add another exciting business to the bustling Haggerty Road corridor.”

Founded by the late Nino Salvaggio in 1979, the company will expand its footprint to the tri-county area with the opening of the Livonia store.

“On behalf of the entire Nino Salvaggio family, we are excited to work with Schoolcraft College to debut a vibrant new grocery store on the Livonia campus with state-of-the-art educational facility for students,” said Leo Salvaggio.

Plans are in the works for student learning opportunities for supply chain management, as well as business and accounting.

More details on the project will be released at a later date.