Our History: A Legacy of Resilience

1929 – 1940s: Humble Beginnings

The Milazzo name has been a staple of the business community since 1929, when Carmen Milazzo began selling fruits and vegetables from a horse-drawn buggy in the Browntown section of Pittston Township. Known for his kindness and honesty, Carmen built a foundation of dependability that still defines us today.

In the 1940s and 50s, his son, Joe Milazzo, followed in his father’s footsteps. While he also started with a horse and buggy, Joe pivoted to meet the era's energy needs by hauling bagged coal. To keep up with booming demand, he eventually opened a coal-bagging plant and expanded into a chain of gas stations throughout Luzerne County.

1943 – 1970: Community Mainstays

In 1943, the family opened the largest hardware store in Pittston. Serving as a true community mainstay until 1970, the store was a one-stop shop for "handymen and housewives," stocked with everything from carpentry supplies to paint.

1968 – 1984: Innovation and Overcoming Adversity

Following Joe’s passing in 1968, Sam Milazzo took the reins and shifted the company toward manufacturing. He introduced two landmark products:

• Instant Light Charcoal: Invented by Joe in the early 50s.
• Qik Joe Ice Melt: Launched by Sam in 1969.

The company’s strength was tested in 1972 when the Agnes Flood devastated the Wyoming Valley and Milazzo headquarters. Through sheer determination, the team rebuilt, only to face a total manufacturing loss during a fire in 1984. Remarkably, the company returned to full production within a single year.

1990s – 2011: Vision Through Loss

After the passing of Samuel J. Milazzo, the company’s "true soul" and visionary, leadership transitioned to his wife, Elizabeth Milazzo, supported by their son Joseph and son-in-law John Wesolowski.

The family spirit was tested again in 2011 when another devastating flood hit. Honoring Sam’s legacy of never letting setbacks derail the mission, Elizabeth invested heavily in the company’s future, ensuring the business and its employees would flourish despite the disaster.

2019 – Present: A New Era of Growth

In recent years, the family has navigated the loss of Joseph Milazzo (2019) and the family matriarch, Elizabeth (2021). Today, the company is led by Nadine Milazzo Wesolowski and her husband, John Wesolowski.

With over 30 years of experience, John has spearheaded the expansion of our specialty product line, including:

• Safe Pet Ultra Ice Melt
• Quad Melt (and Quad Melt Ultra) with CMA
• Lake Shore Ice Melt
• Qik Heat Calcium Liquid

Our Mission Today

Based in Jenkins Township, Milazzo Industries remains a leading force in the industry. Our foundation is built on quality, integrity, and service, guided by our motto:

“Focusing on the needs of today, with an eye on tomorrow.”