John B. Meinardi was born in San Giorgi, Canavese, Torino, Italy on June 2, 1875 to Guiseppi and Maria Meinardi. Meinardi immigrated to the U.S. in 1899, moving to the Copper Country and found work at the Arcadian Mine and then Osceola Mine (later Baltic Mine). In 1905 he married Victoria Algostino at St. Mary Church in Atlantic Mine. Three years later Meinardi opened his own tavern at 214 Quincy Street. By 1918 Meinardi shifted his business focus and purchased the Lyric Theatre in Houghton (107 Shelden St.). However, due to the spread of the Spanish Influenza, the Lyric was no longer screening films. Meinardi sold the Lyric and for a period of time worked for the Scott Laundry until he opened his own grocery in 1920 at 322 Quincy Street in Hancock. In 1937 he entered into a partnership with his son, Joseph P. Meinardi, who eventually took over management of the store following his death in 1968. Among his personal activities, Meinardi served as Secretary of Sons of Columbus and Citizens Italian Society.

Joseph P. Meinardi (1906-1976) was born April 4, 1906 in Baltic to John and Vittoria Meinardi. He graduated from St. Patrick's Parochial School in 1926 and began working at the family grocery in Hancock of which he eventually became a partner with his father until his retirement in 1975. Joseph Meinardi was married to Cristina Enrico of San Giorgio, Canavese, Italy in 1948.