Lipari honored with renamed street

WARREN — Mayor Lori Stone officially changed the name of Bunert Road from 11 Mile to Frazho roads to Lipari Way Sept. 10 to honor Lipari Foods and the family that has been committed to Warren for 30 years.

A combined event celebrated the street renaming and the Lipari Foods employee appreciation picnic. The Lipari family, employees and city officials gathered for the occasion.

Of course, not every business gets a street named after it.

“(We are) Here for a very special occasion, it’s one of a kind in the city of Warren for the naming of the new ‘Lipari Way,’” Stone said.

“Lipari Foods has proudly served as a cornerstone of the Warren community driven by purpose that goes beyond food distribution, delivering more than great food to build a better tomorrow, impacting not just the local economy but the lives of customers, employees and residents alike,” Stone said. “Whereas Lipari Foods is committed to deliver great food and innovative solutions to their customers while growing value for all, is a testament to the company’s commitment to collaboration, innovation and excellence, supporting sustainable growth for the Warren community and beyond.”

Thom Lipari recently retired from his position as CEO and managing day-to-day operations, but he remains on the board of directors of the specialty food distribution company.

“It’s a great honor that anybody would even think to do that for the company, and for the family,” Lipari said of the street renaming. “And I can’t say enough about how touched I am that this is happening.”

Lipari thanked the mayor, her staff and the administration. He also thanked all the employees at Lipari Foods and Kim Robertson, a vice president at Lipari Foods, who came up with the idea of the street renaming.

The process started when Robertson reached out to Annmarie LaDuke, office coordinator in the Warren Public Service Department, according to the department’s director, Dave Muzzarelli. He credits LaDuke for being the driving force behind the street renaming event on the city’s side and for making it what he called a “great project.”

“I was unaware that the public service director is the only one that can change street names in the city of Warren,” Muzzarelli said. “The two of them (Robertson and LaDuke) figured that out. So they asked and I ran it past the mayor.”

The city checked with the post office to make sure there would not be any problems, and that it would not affect the other businesses on Bunert. Mail can still be addressed to Bunert in that area and get delivered, according to Muzzarelli.

“We thought it would be a great idea and they (Lipari Foods) wanted to unveil it at their employee picnic.” Muzzarelli said. “With minimal investment and a great reaction from one of our local companies, we thought it was worth every penny.”

“Lipari has been a great contributor to our community. They have made a huge investment on Bunert,” Muzzarelli said.

That investment includes multiple warehouses and an office building. The last warehouse was built in 2017, according to the company’s website.

“So many times people say it’s difficult working with government. Well, I built two buildings here in Warren. This one behind us and the one across the street,” Lipari said. “The one across the street was a real challenge and it was a pleasure working with the city. And if it wasn’t for the city and staff that they had, we wouldn’t have these buildings here today.”

Muzzarelli said the building across the street was built during the Fouts administration.

“I’ve been around the city a long time. I remember actually when Lipari first moved in, and they were renting space on Frazho Road right around the corner,” he said.

Lipari Foods came to Warren in 1995 and has made a positive impact on the community ever since, according to Stone.

Lipari has been with the company that bears his family name most of his life and he is now transitioning into retirement.

“Trying to golf a little, but I’m also trying to sell some spirits,” Lipari said when asked about his plans. “The two kind of fight each other.”

Benchmark Beverages, which sells premium spirits and craft beer, is now part of Lipari’s portfolio. The company operates in Michigan and also sells out of state. “We’re kind of building a second Lipari just in a different industry,” Lipari said.

“Well, that’s why I had to find something else to keep me busy. I don’t think I could have just gone cold turkey with it,” Lipari said about adjusting to retirement. “This gives me a good transition into moving into the next phase of my life. It’s a big change after being here 50 years at Lipari’s and not being here. But life goes on, things move on and that’s what we’re doing.”

Tequila enthusiasts may recognize one of his brands from Benchmark Beverages, which is Padre Azul.

“It’s a high-end tequila. It’s the best tequila out there. If you are into tequila, that’s the one you want to drink,” Lipari said.