Frank Broggi's Fruit Store

Frank Broggi's Store in Sanford Square, in 1905. This photo was taken in Sanford Square looking down Washington Street. Next to Frank Broggi's store on the corner is the Sanford National Bank followed by the Smith Block. Frank Broggi was born in Milan, Italy February 9, 1851 and died in Sanford March 24, 1909. He was the grandfather of Carl J. Broggi (1909-1956) for which Rt. 111 & Rt. 202 near Sanford are named.

This building in Sanford Square was built by Samuel B. Emery in 1846 and housed various stores over the years. At the time of this photograph Frank Broggi occupied the ground floor. Mr. Broggi, born in Milan, Italy, came to Sanford in 1889 and moved into this store in 1892 after his first building burned down. He was well known in the area for carrying various domestic and foreign fruit, cheese and groceries. A lot of children loved the store for its penny candies, ice cream and sodas. 

Mr. Broggi's grandson, Carl Broggil was a prominent local businessman. He was a leader in the campaign to attract new industry to Sanford after the Goodall-Sanford left town in 1954. He became the first commissioner of Maine's Department of Development of Industry and Commerce. The Sanford Trust Company purchased the property from the Emery family in 1916 and it became its headquarters.