Ninety years after opening its doors, Ancona's Market is ready to host its first Branchville Benefit with the idea of promoting locally owned businesses and local charities on Saturday, July 24.

Recipients from the proceeds will be Ridgefield Playhouse, Ridgefield Music and Arts Center, the Georgetown Fire Department and ROAR.

"We are very honored," said ROAR shelter director Amy Bolotin, who said the money raised mostly goes to veterinary services and operational costs.

With many individually owned businesses going under lately, market owner Joe Ancona decided it was the right time to try to promote local businesses while also giving back to the community.

"Ninety is a nice round number," Ancona said. "We celebrated our 86th, so 90 sounded good, too."

The charities Ancona selected are people with whom he has worked and supported for a long time.

"As a fellow musician, I have always supported RMAC," Ancona said. "I usually play unappreciated in my house," he joked, stating that perhaps there is a chance he will play something on his guitar at the benefit.

During the day, the store is celebrating its birthday with a day-long open house featuring live music, door prizes, activities for children and tasting stations from more than 20 local vendors.

Then, when Ancona's closes its doors for the day, the supermarket will transform into a cocktail party, with passed hors d'oeuvres, a charcuterie table and local artisan cheeses and breads. 

But the highlight with be the double pig roast and carving, where people can not only see where their pork shoulder and pork chops really come from but can eat them fresh from the roast.

Head butcher Ron Manna will also demonstrate proper butchering techniques on Piedmontese sirloin steaks from local farms and then grill them for dinner.

Other local businesses will provide food and drink, including fresh vegetables from The Hickories farm in Ridgefield. Benzinger Wines and Palm Beer will pair a wine and beer tasting menu.

Ancona is the grandson of Joseph Ancona, who opened the small basement storefront on Route 7 in 1920 when he emigrated from Sicily. Ancona's Market has remained in the family for three generations; currently Joe Ancona runs the grocery store and cousin Mitch runs the liquor store.

Joe returned to Ancona's Market in 2005 after a career in architecture and regional development. His vision is to make Ancona's a "green" supermarket and to work with local farmers.

"We want to be more of a food advocate than a food seller," he said.

Tickets to the evening event are $65, available at Ancona's stores, 720 Branchville Road.