Big John's PFI

Mediterannean Foods including pasta, olive oil, jams and preserves, honey, olives, tomato and vegetable products, cured meats – and featuring one of the largest cheese counters in Seattle.

In 1971 John Croce, otherwise known as “Big John”, began PFI out of the back of his car. With a wife and three children to feed, he took a leap of faith and started Pacific Food Importers. John began selling imported olives and feta cheese to Greek restaurants and being a son of Seattle’s Garlic Gulch, he soon added Italian products to his repertoire of specialty foods. John was well known in the community having served as Albert Rosellini’s campaign manager, starting the local Boys Club in the Rainier Valley and as the owner of several grocery stores. When word spread that Big John was selling delicious Italian and Greek cheeses, olives, figs, peppers, pasta, olive oil etc. to restaurants, retail customers began pounding on Big John’s door and soon John opened once a week to retail shoppers. Big John quickly outgrew the store front and after a couple of moves has settled the retail store on 6th Ave. South just south of Chinatown.