"Growing Up Stipanov," Brief History of Growing up Young & Working in a Family Owned Business

Anthony was born into a fairly large Italian/Croatian Family.  His mother, Alda moved to the United States from Italy in 1970 with her Father, Felice, her mother Onofria and her two younger siblings Tony and Angela Lupo.  At one point the family owned four business and and "Astro's Pizza and Felice's Ristorante" are the two which remain open.

Alda Lupo married Nado Stipanov in October 1983.  They had three sons: Anthony, Felice and Alexander.

Currently my husband, Anthony, 28 has been a tenured teacher in The New York State Department of Education for 6 years.  His brothers, Felice, 25 and Alexander, 23 didn't take too long to follow in their brother's footsteps.  This is their first year proudly working for The New York Department of Education. However every Summer they pack their bags move from Bayside and back to Amagansett to help the family business, their old stomping ground.  By talking to Anthony I sense the honor, pride and hard work and dedication he has towards his families business, he love his family business, period.  It's been part if his whole life.  And that is what got me to thinking about writing this blog.

For those who don't know Anthony and I, we have two daughters, Ava and Liv (identical twins girls).  However recently I had errands to run in town and left my daughters with my in-laws at the Ristorante.  When I returned from my errands I saw Ava behind the register having the time of her life.  Not only was it beyond cute, I could only picture Anthony behind that register at a younger age myself.

So here is a brief history of Anthony's Childhood in A Family Business:

Let's rewind twenty years ago, Anthony was eight years old.  At that time the family also owned a deli called "Felice's Italian Deli" & "Astro's Pizza" which at the time wasn't part of "Felice's Ristorante".  Both the deli and the pizza place were in the same building.  Like "Astro's Pizza and Felice's" currently looks like.  At that young age he started working at both parts of the business by cleaning tables, putting pizza boxes together, cutting pizza pies and serving costumers. By the time he was ten years olds he was taught to make pizza pies (and let me tell you, he makes great pies!) Eventually he was taught how to make sandwiches for the deli, use the slicer and stock the refrigerator.

In 1996 everything changed and they moved to 237 Main Street since Felice Lupo had purchaded the builiding back 1983.  "Astro's Pizza and Felice's Ristorante" become one and the "Felice's Itailian Deli" closed.  In the Summer of 1997 Anthony began to work in the kitchen with his father, Nado Stipanov who started to teach Anthony how to work a restaurant kitchen.  From than on he slowly learned the menu and become a pro!  On days his Uncle, Tony and Cousins, Gianfelice and Joey are off Anthony is up front making pizzas.  That's a lot of multi-tasking.  

A few years ago the boys (meaning the Stipanov and Lupo cousins) had a great idea! The idea was to stay open from Memorial Day until Labor Day until 4:00 a.m., only on Friday and Saturdays.  And let me tell you from personal experience the Talkhouse crowd flocks there! I'll have to go down there one night in the Summer and take pictures!

I'm proud of Anthony's family accomplishments, blessed with a truly hardworking husband and a legacy for our daughters to look up too.  

Thanks for Reading and Happy Friday!