The Polidori family arrived at McGregor Square in downtown Denver on the day of the April 4 Colorado Rockies home opener, decked in team gear and jackets featuring the logo of their company, Polidori Sausage, stitched on the front.
Above the family name was the number 100, marking a significant milestone for the brand.
What began as a humble mom-and-pop grocer and butcher shop a century ago has transitioned into a well-greased sausage factory, supplying products to major distributors like Shamrock Foods, US Foods, and Sysco, which in turn deliver them to iconic sporting venues like Ball Arena and Coors Field.
Later this month, the brother-and-sister duo behind the sausage links, Melodie Polidori Harris and Steve Polidori, will transfer their delivery system to Dot Transportation, a food redistribution company tasked with making Polidori Sausage available in all 50 states.
This pivotal decision is seen by the siblings as both “scary and exciting.”
Steve Polidori, who took over the business from his grandfather in 2001, expressed the weight of the responsibility on their shoulders as they aim to make Polidori a household name nationwide.
Polidori stated, “Isn’t the sausage fun enough on its own?” as he discussed the company’s expansion this season to three standalone concessions at Coors Field.
Among the menu offerings are a chorizo brat, a hatch chile-and-cheese brat, and a jalapeño-cheddar brat, all served with grilled corn, onions, and additional peppers and cheese.
The Polidori family has deep roots in Denver; their great-grandparents were Italian immigrants who met in Magna, Utah, before relocating to Denver in 1925 to establish their grocery store.
Following the family’s history, Louis Polidori and his brother took charge of the store for several decades.
While their parents were relatively distanced from the business—one being an attorney and the other a retired judge—Steve Polidori found his way into the meat-processing facility while attending Colorado State University in the early ’90s.
Continuing to learn and grow, he stayed on after graduation, starting a journey that would reshape the family business.
“I’d call my restaurants, get their orders for the week, make the sausage, and then deliver it,” he recalled.
In those days, the plant would process 5,000 pounds of raw sausage in a good week.
Fast forward to today, at the Park Hill neighborhood facility where Polidori Sausage relocated nine years ago, they now move a staggering 80,000 to 100,000 pounds per week.
About 80 percent of that volume consists of orders from restaurants, hotels, stadiums, and colleges.
The company’s newest client is Anthony’s Pizza and Pasta, a well-known Colorado franchise with 18 locations in the state.
Anthony’s CEO Garrett Brizendine stated, “Their century-long, family-run legacy in Colorado aligns perfectly with our values and commitment to quality.”
He emphasized the authentic flavor of Polidori Sausage that will soon feature in several of their sausage-based items, highlighting the collaborative spirit of local businesses.
At the April 4 event, the Polidori siblings and Melodie’s son, William Polidori Harris, represented the family at a pregame mixer organized for major supporters and partners of the Colorado Rockies.
After seven years of cooperation inside the stadium, their brats are now included in nearly every concession stand, a testament to their growing popularity.
William, who attended CSU and joined the family business soon after, began with human resources and has now transitioned to the sales team.
While discussing his role, he noted, “I order a lot of pork and a lot of spices,” reflecting the trends toward a “clean label” in consumer preferences.
As they prepare for this new phase of growth, the Polidori family is conscious of the challenges that come with it.
Melodie Polidori Harris expressed concern about losing the personal touch they’ve always had with customers, stating, “We’re so used to holding the hands of our customers, and it’s gonna take some of that away.”
Yet, she remains resolute in focusing on the future of the brand.
The Polidori family has a proud legacy to celebrate.
Later this month, they, along with other Colorado organizations turning 100, will be honored at the 2025 Business Awards hosted by the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
image source from：https://www.denverpost.com/2025/04/15/polidori-sausage-100-years-coors-field/
