In 1959, Emilio Calarusso founded the Épicerie Européenne, a grocery store on Saint-Jean Street. Calarusso became one of Québec City’s best-known Italians. His grocery introduced Québec City residents to products that were entirely new to them, such as Italian coffee, fine olive oil and even Asian foods. First frequented by immigrants, the grocery went on to become increasingly popular with a broad range of residents.