Sindoni sausages find new home in Altamont

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

Vito A. Sindoni & Son Packing Co. opened its new facility at 68 Settles Hill Road, Altamont, with a ribbon cutting on Friday. The 5th generation is now running the business and makes 5,000 to 9000 pounds of sausage per week. Pictured from left, Mike Si...

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For the first time in 95 years, the Vito A. Sindoni & Son Packing Company has moved to a new location.

In 1920, the Sindoni family opened an Italian sausage business at 814 Genesee St. in Schenectady — a three-apartment home with a business space in the back.

Five generations later, the family-run operation has expanded to produce several kinds of sausage for many large chain supermarkets throughout the Capital Region.

Two weeks ago, the business moved to its new location at 1070 Settles Hill Road in Altamont after four years of planning.

Tenants still reside at the Genesee Street location, said John Sindoni, the executive officer of the sausage company, and the business section of the building is

currently under contract.

After much discussion, the family purchased the land in Altamont last year and broke ground this past April.

Sindoni said he designed the new facility, which was built by the Corradi family. The building is eight times larger than the old shop.

The local sausage company is run by Sindoni, his brother Michael Sindoni Jr. and their father, Michael Sindoni Sr.

“It was our dream to one day be exactly where we are today,” Sindoni said. “This is all we know, all we do and what we love.”

The Capital Region Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting at the company Friday morning to welcome the business.

“This is an investment in the region,” Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, D-Rotterdam, said. “I grew up in an Italian family making sausage and it’s tradition. There’s an art to it, and the Sindonis are sharing the culture for all families to enjoy.”

“I want to thank everybody,” Sindoni said moments before the ribbon was cut Friday. “So many family and friends have helped us along the way, and we wouldn’t be here without you.”

Sindoni said their sausage is a high-end product.

“Every pound that goes out is made with the highest quality spices and pork,” he said. “There’s not a more expensive pork in the world than what we buy. A good way to explain it is, it’s like making hamburger out of filet mignon.”

The business moved to its new location two weeks ago for a few reasons, Sindoni said.

“Times have changed since my great-grandfather and father were young,” Sindoni said of the family’s former meat shop located in the city neighborhood of Bellevue. “He told me you used to be able to leave your bike in the front yard, and go away for the weekend and leave your doors unlocked. Now, crime has really overtaken the area.”

Sindoni said the family business ran into altercations with drug dealers, prostitutes and other issues at its former site.

“We’re proud of what we have, and weren’t the type to run or hide,” Sindoni said. “Anytime someone was on our property we were there and took care of it, but our customers are devoted to us and shouldn’t be concerned to come to buy our product, or have to worry about the safety of their cars or other belongings. No one deserves to deal with that, and we couldn’t handle or correct it anymore.

“It’s nice to come to work with a smile again,” he said.

Sindoni said it was time for the family business to expand further now that his children have become adults.

“My kids are grown now and just started working here full time,” Sindoni said. “They’re the fifth generation, and with the kids coming up, it was time to grow and expand.”

Sindoni said the Vito A. Sindoni & Son Packing Company is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to noon.