The Paolucci Legacy

     The Paolucci family business dates back to 1894, when two brothers, Felix and Dominic Paolucci  came to Atchison from Frosolone, Italy, a small town just north of Naples.  Together, along with Dominic’s wife Rosa, they started Paolucci’s Grocery.  Dominic and Rosa had three sons, Nick, John, Felix and one daughter, Mary.

     Nick, John and Mary stayed with their parents to help run the store, while Felix left Atchison to pursue a career in the Navy. In 1936, Mary Paolucci married Ed Begley, and created what is now known as Paolucci & Begley Grocery.

     Mary and Ed had four children, Rosemary, Ed, Joe and Mike. Rosa Paolucci passed away in 1958, leaving the store to Nick, John and Mary.  Mary’s youngest son, Mike Begley, joined the family business in 1970.  Mary J. Begley died on October 2, 2000.

     In 1983, Mike and his wife Margie, opened Paolucci’s Restaurant (Formerly Jack’s café).  They have two sons, Ed and Mark.  Above the restaurant, the Old Traveler’s Hotel, became Paolucci’s Lounge in 1990, and is now run by Ed Begley.  Mark Begley is a financial planner in Atchison.