What a great store this was! The Corno family opened in 1951 and closed in 1995. The City of Portland ripped it down. Burt Reynolds filmed a famous scene on the roof of this building, hiding behind the massive fruit signs. Sheridan Fruit Co is the last of this type of old school grocers in Stumptown.
Corno's would be in business today if John Corno (Jimmy's son) hadn't spent all the money on his automobile collection and other personal perks. He bought his Gina a brand new Corvette for her high school graduation. He kept hiring new accountants, who told him to curtail his spending, and then firing them because he didn't like what they said. It was a great store and a great business ruined by a greedy, self-entitled kid.
Posted by: Robert Collins | July 20, 2011 at 08:18 AM
Corno's was great. Loved to go shopping there. When I was 20, I lived off E. Burnside and my work was just south of Corno's. I used to walk to work and on my way home would stop either there or Sheridan Fruit for groceries.
Posted by: Carol | July 20, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Corno's was a landmark in the area. That 1989 Burt Reynolds flick has some great shots of the store as well as other secenes filmed in many Portland locations.
Posted by: BOB KARM | July 20, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Corno's was great. Worked there during the summer during high school and college years. Jimmy was a great personality, Brother Al was the business guy (and sign painter) and another brother Frank ran Produce Salvage Box Company--just to the east of the Farmers Produce Market across the street from the Lido at 11th and Belmont.
Jimmy hired many young people from his east side neighborhood to work at the store--our first jobs--it was a damned shame that it was torn down. We shop at Sheridan's now. Last of the old-time great local produce stores. . . .
Posted by: OldDuck | July 20, 2011 at 10:19 AM
Use to o here with my mom when I was a kid. She would alway buy me an ice cream sandwich. Those were the days!
Posted by: Steve schwb | July 20, 2011 at 11:06 PM