Fenway Park souvenir shop and apparel entrepreneur dies at 97

Arthur D’Angelo developed ’47 Brand as a large souvenir shop and apparel brand in Boston.

Arthur D’Angelo, a man who helped launch an international sports apparel business and a souvenir shop across from Fenway Park in Boston that became the Red Sox Team Store, passed away Feb. 29 at age 97. A celebration of life for D’Angelo took place March 4 at Fenway Park.

According to a report from WCVB-TV in Boston, D’Angelo and his twin brother, Henry, immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1938 when they were 12 years old. Their family settled in Boston’s North End neighborhood.

As their first business, the twin brothers sold newspapers for 2 cents outside Fenway Park, according to WCVB-TV. In 1947, the twin brothers launched Twins Enterprises after the Boston Red Sox won the 1946 American League pennant. The brothers focused on selling pennants and other sports memorabilia on the streets around Fenway Park.

Twins Enterprises eventually changed its name to ’47 Brand in honor of the year the D’Angelo twins started their souvenir business. According to a 2017 article in Inc. magazine, ’47 Brand has nearly 400 employees, a global supply chain, licensing agreements with all major sports and a busy flagship store near Fenway Park.

WCVB-TV reports that Boston even renamed a private road that intersects with Jersey Street in Front of Fenway Park “Arthur’s Way” in honor of Arthur D’Angelo in 2013.

Although D’Angelo passed away, his legacy continues with ’47 Brand as his four sons manage the business, including Robert D’Angelo, Mark D’Angelo, David D’Angelo and Steven D’Angelo.