1970s – 1980s

John Durban was born in Akron, Ohio in 1934 and soon after started working in the family's supermarkets at a young age. Once the Durban's sold the supermarket business and moved to Southern California (in the early 1950's), John was involved with the new Durban Meats' locations.

Once he graduated High School, he wanted to continue his food industry career by joining Certified Grocers (1956). Over the years he grew into becoming a very important asset to Certified Grocers by being in-charge of the product ordering department (eventually growing into a vice-president position).

Bill Durban was also born in Akron, Ohio (younger brother of John). He also started working in the family's supermarkets at a young age. Following John Durban's path, Bill also started his food career at Certified Grocers. Bill was involved in the purchasing departments eventually becoming one of the managing buyers.

Bill was instrumental in creating best practices within the buying department; creating innovative in-store marketing campaigns; the Certified Grocers private label programs (ex: Springfield); and was instrumental in being a partner and advisor for the annual Certified Grocers trade show in Los Angeles.

Our Cousins, Tommy and David (also part-timer, Russell) and Uncle Monte carried on with Uncle Tom's legacy in the meat market and meat distribution business. They not only had a small chain of butcher shops they also created a dominant regional Southern California meat and grocery distribution business (Kern County, Los Angeles County) that was eventually bought out by Sysco.

David Eritano continued in the family meat market and distribution business alongside his brother Tommy, building the regional distribution network across Southern California.

Our Uncle Monte was involved in the Eritano meat distribution business. He was instrumental in helping manage day-to-day operations, routing drivers and daily deliveries, and landing customers such as the California Correctional Institution in Tehachapi, Coco's Restaurants, Carrow's Restaurants, Hughes Markets and many others.