Two veterans of the Vermont food industry both passed away on Friday, July 2: Anthony Joseph Merola and George L. Solomon.

As a youth, George Solomon worked at his father's company, Solomon's Wholesale Beef. He and his wife took over in 1970, and founded a coffin company some 10 years later. In 2003, Seven Days associate editor Ruth Horowitz accompanied Solomon on a coffin-and-culinary trip to Montrèal.

Read George L. Solomon's obituary.

Merola and his wife, Dorothy, used to own Dot's Market on Archibald Street in the Old North End and Merola's Market, which originally opened as the M&M Market on Pearl Street in the Radio Deli spot. Under different ownership, it is now located in the New North End.

Read Anthony Joseph Merola's obituary.

Their passing marks the end of an era.