Officially opening its doors on March 22, the new Locali by Romeo’s IGA is a European-inspired fresh food hall which anchors the lower concourse retail level located at 388 George Street, Sydney.
Named ‘Locali’ for the ‘locals’ that it serves, the contemporary 1600sqm fresh food market offers a unique shopping and dining experience, featuring a full range supermarket and fresh produce with fruit and vegetable brought in fresh from the Sydney markets daily, commercial kitchen, dine-in café with a barista offering a fresh brew of Vittoria coffee, dine-in restaurant, walk-in cheese room and cheese bar with a selection of cheese from all over the world, sushi bar with chefs creating fresh handmade sushi daily, meat and fish offer, continental delicatessen, salumi bar, fresh pizza, Italian bakery, florist, and a liquor store offering wine tastings. 
Romeo’s Retail Group owner and Director Joseph Romeo described the store opening as a monumental day and dream come true for the whole family, transforming the way Sydneysiders purchase groceries with the brand-new European market-feel grocer for Sydney CBD office workers and shoppers alike.
“Locali brings the beloved traditional Italian grocer to the heart of Sydney with a modern and stylish twist,” Mr Romeo said.
“We’re so proud of this concept and have chosen to open in Sydney as the precinct undeniably exhibits innovation and sits within an iconic and historically significant part of the city.” 
It’s the first time that the Romeo family has introduced a restaurant offer within the supermarket, also offering a range of authentic take-home products. To curate a unique offer, the retailer partnered with seasoned chef and restaurateur Orazio D’Elia who himself launched Italian Matteo Downtown in Double Bay, Sydney, to offer different tastes and recipes from regions throughout Italy with a variety of pizza, chicken, and pasta to pair with some of the great wine on offer in the store.
Romeo’s will also soon launch an app where shoppers can order lunch or pick up dinner.
“Our unique in-store experience of fresh food and dine-in options is strongly supported by our niche, locally-sourced products which support Australian farmers and producers,” says Mr Romeo. “This is complemented by our unique global range.”
The Romeo family has continued the tradition of bringing family together with food. “Mangia, mangia,” Mr Romeo laments, which means ‘eat, eat.’ They wanted to create a meeting place where shoppers could shop and dine together at the store.
Each of the departments is represented by a family member to acknowledge their hard work and achievements within the family business – Elizabeth the hero of the delicatessen, Antonio as the head of the family at the café, Paul at the centre of the store and of the business as a founder and developer, Anthony at the front of the kitchen as the engine of the restaurant and of the business as a founder heading its administration and finance, and for the first time ever, the introduction of a bar within the supermarket which houses some of South Australia’s best wine and where Joseph is at the head as he does enjoy a good drop of wine.
The second Locali store is expected to open at Wynyard Station, Brookfield Place Sydney in June 2021.
