PARMA, Ohio -- After spending his entire life running away from his family business, Robert A. Carrino is right back where he started.
He recently reopened Mama Mia’s Pizza, which his parents -- Dennis and Judy -- owned and operated for more than a quarter of a century.
“That’s how I grew up, so I know this business better than anything,” said Carrino, a 1984 Valley Forge High School graduate who now lives in Medina. “I grew up here when I was a kid, where I worked from the age of 8 to 21.
“Of course, I had all of the answers at that age. I went out on my own and did my own thing. I was in the car business for 25 years. In 2016, I opened my own construction company. But now I’m circling back and reopening under the name The Original Mama Mia’s Pizza.”
Carrino grew up at the Pleasant Valley Road pizzeria and restaurant -- which originally opened in 1972 -- where he started bussing tables, before graduating to dishwashing duties, dough making, cooking and management.
“If you had asked me if I ever wanted to get back in the restaurant business again, I would have said you’re crazy, there’s no way,” Carrino said. “I always managed the property, but a recent tenant due to the pandemic couldn’t survive.
“Then my dad asked me if I would think about bringing back the original recipes and getting back in the restaurant business. It would be something I could pass on to my boys. We talked about it, and then I decided to pull the trigger on it. So, that’s where we’re at today.”
A mushroom, green pepper and black olive pizza from The Original Mama Mia’s Pizza in Parma. (Photo Courtesy of Mama Mia’s)
With its retro menu including pizza, pasta, sandwiches, BBQ and ribs, as well as new items added weekly, The Original Mama Mia’s Pizza is currently offering carryout, curbside and delivery, with the goal this spring to open the dining room, bar and patio.
“I opened the doors on Nov. 20 for a soft opening without advertising,” Carrino said. “I’ve gotten nothing but positive feedback. We’re taking it a little bit slower right now. I’m trying to get my feet wet with it again.”
The irony that more than 35 years later he’s back at Mama Mia’s isn’t lost on Carrino.
“It’s a bittersweet situation for me, because growing up in the family business I was always expected to be here,” Carrino said. “Regardless if I had plans to do something, if somebody called off, I had to fill that position. So it was one of those things where I really kind of almost resented the business because I didn’t have a social life growing up.
“But you never know where life will take you. Today, I’m completely overwhelmed by the support. Everybody who walks in the door can’t believe we’re open again. Not only is it a great feeling, but it’s actually really cool.”
Read more news from the Parma Sun Post.
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