BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Nonna's Italian Market now has new owners and soon will go by a new name.
In a Facebook post Wednesday, the Crivellaros announced the "big news," saying the family "is honored to continue the tradition of bringing authentic Italian specialties to Bethlehem, PA!"
Co-owner Mike Crivellaro told LehighValleyNews.com they don't plan to take away any fan-favorites, but want to add to the market's offerings.
"We're bringing in more stuff," Crivellaro said. "So the next time people come in, they'll see some new shelves. They're going to see more products."
"Grab-and-go meals, more salads, seasonal salads, more Italian stuff, more specialty, more Sicilian stuff. So you'll see a change in some of the pastries, some of the bread, more cookies."New Nonna's Italian Market co-owner Al Crivellaro
That started Thursday, with corropolese tomato pie — which Crivellaro said was "a big hit."
Co-owner Al Crivellaro, Mike Crivellaro's brother, said "more prepared foods" also are coming to the market.
"Grab-and-go meals, more salads, seasonal salads, more Italian stuff, more specialty, more Sicilian stuff," Al Crivellaro said.
"So you'll see a change in some of the pastries, some of the bread, more cookies."
Bringing in the cheese
By next week, they'll bring in what they're known for: fresh mozzarella, he said.
"You know, since that's kind of our history and where we come from," Mike Crivellaro Sr. said.
His son, also named Mike, said they'll prepare small batches each week and "when it's out, it's out."
"Our family comes from a long history of manufacturing cheese in Easton, Pennsylvania. It's called Crivellaro and Sons Cheese and Dairy Farm. We manufacture cheese and we've always been looking for something to do, and this opportunity came up."Mike Crivellaro Sr.
They might adjust to demand, "but right now, we're starting out small and getting people used to it, and getting our samples out there — samples of everything — so they can taste the food," his son said.
"Our family comes from a long history of manufacturing cheese in Easton, Pennsylvania," Mike Crivellaro Sr. said.
"It's called Crivellaro and Sons Cheese and Dairy Farm. We manufacture cheese and we've always been looking for something to do, and this opportunity came up."
He said he officially got into talks with Giacomo Sgroi — who previously owned the Italian market — in February.
He said they had an established relationship after being in Sgroi's previous restaurant, Nonna Sulina's Sicilian Kitchen & Grille in Hanover Township.
A fire last July closed that restaurant and Sgroi recently opened Tinto Tapas and Pasta in Fountain Hill.
'Just going to continue to do that'
Customers — both in-person and virtually — have left "very heartwarming" comments for the family since their Wednesday announcement.
"Yay!!! Congratulations to Alfie, Mikie and his children," Joanne Warner Haring said in a Facebook comment Thursday. "Stopped today and will be stopping more often since they are close by."
"There's a few simple pleasures in life — one of those is having a good meal and enjoying it with family and friends. And that's what we're big on. We love to feed people."Mike Crivellaro, co-owner of Nonna's Italian Market
Other comments ranged from congratulations to excitement at the potential new items.
The Crivellaros said they hope to return the sentiment with those food samples.
"It's things like that, that really make people feel comfortable, and it's all about the people," Mike Crivellaro Sr. said. "There's a few simple pleasures in life — one of those is having a good meal and enjoying it with family and friends.
"And that's what we're big on. We love to feed people."
Really? Met with sarcastic shock, the four laughed, nodding. Like Sgroi, the Crivellaros are Sicilian — from San Fratello.
"And we're just going to continue to do that here," he said.
'Just going to continue to do that'
More items aren't the only addition in store — so it a new name, eventually.
There's no set date that the market's name will change, but it'll pay homage to Mike and Al Crivellaro's mother: Grazia.
"Having a full-fledged market, we can really curate flavors and different specialties and something exciting. And we're really looking forward to it."Mike Crivellaro Jr.
"And Grazia means grace in Italian, and our mom's name was Grace," Mike Crivellaro Sr. said. "So it's for her as well."
Business started out as a family matter and will continue to be a family matter, he said — and that includes customers who want to be part of the family, too.
His son said the family previously worked in the restaurant industry.
Now "it's great to have a market," especially among a small handful of other Italian markets in the Lehigh Valley, he said.
"Having a full-fledged market, we can really curate flavors and different specialties and something exciting," Mike Crivellaro Jr. said. "And we're really looking forward to it."
