Carmine Sr. came to the United States in 1956 from Campobasso, Italy. He worked in a meat packing plant in Denver until the mid 1970's. Carmine and his wife Lois decided to take what they knew best and open their own Italian meat market in Lakewood in 1978.

Carmine started off making 50 pounds of sausage a week and they are now making more than 10,000 pounds a week. Even today Carmine's make all their sauge the old fashioned way in 50lb batches to maintain the quality and exceptional taste. Many of the finest restaurants in the Denver area serve Lonardo meats and sausage.