Between the Aisles, Battistelli Grows the Family Business
Brent Battistelli (‘84 – ‘86) might be able to tell you exactly where everything in a grocery store is. That’s because he has owned and operated one for the past 18 years.
Battistelli is the son of Frank and Linda Batistelli. Frank started Battistelli Independent Grocer in 1989. Brent Battistelli was born on Feb. 24, 1967 and grew up with playing hockey in Sudbury, Ont. The youthful Battistelli got noticed by teams in the OHL, but had no idea the Petes would draft him in the fourth round of the 1984 OHL Priority Selection.
“Talked to Peterborough, talked to a bunch of teams, but where you initially ended up wasn’t something I knew at that time,” Battistelli recollects from his office.
The Sudbury native remembers how successful the Petes had been when he joined the team the following September. Coached by Dick Todd and assisted by Jacque Martin, the Petes reached the OHL Finals during Battistelli’s rookie campaign.
Four games into Battistelli’s second season, he was traded to Ottawa 67’s.
“Ottawa was looking for a left winger. Peterborough was heavy in left wingers… I always believe things happen for a reason,” Battistelli states.
He was named Ottawa’s captain for the 1985-86 season.
Battistelli attended the University of Ottawa following junior hockey where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business. He played for the school team, which provided memorable opportunities.
“We did two tours in Europe. We went over there for a two and a half week span. My gosh it was really something. In France, we played the French national team there. We were beating them till the third period,” Battistelli remembers with a laugh.
After his hockey career ended, Brent Battistelli began working for Frank Battistelli in 1990 in Lively. Brent was not paid much, but observing his dad’s work ethic inspired the familial apprentice. The desire to remain a part of hockey led to Brent creating a hockey school called Battistelli Independent Grocer Hockey School in 1993.
He drew in players all across Ontario, including 2015 Stanley Cup Winner Andrew Desjardins.
“[Desjardins] used to come to my hockey school all the time,” Battistelli explains.
Amongst the hockey pictures and memorabilia in Battistelli’s office today, a visitor would be greeted by a framed San Jose Sharks Desjardins jersey hanging on the wall.
The school would last a while, but eventually close down in 2005.
“I got to a point where life was pretty busy with my own family and it was something that I figured it was time to hang up the whistle from the hockey school perspective,” Battistelli reflects.
“It was great because I was able to support a bunch of kids… I felt there wasn’t a void. There’s a number of hockey schools around.”
In 2003, Battistelli bought the supermarket franchise from his father. He has enjoyed success both financially and in recognition. Battistelli’s Independent Grocer has won three bronze medals at the annual Canadian Independent Grocer of the Year Awards Ceremony over the past 20 years. The store was named the Independent Grocer of the Year for 2020, earning Battistelli a gold medal and national recognition.
Battistelli told CTV’s Molly Frommer that he was initially “quite surprised and quite pleased.”
The former Pete loves what he does. When asked what the next five years would look like, Battistelli smiled and said,
“You know, my wife [and I], we have five children all working and all graduated, got them all through school. We have one grandchild, which is really neat. So you know my wife is an executive with the hospital here in the area so it’s continue working for the next couple years I guess and then plan retirement and spend time at the cottage.”
