In order to tell the story of how La Villa came to be in 1982 properly, we must go back three decades before. In 1955 my Uncle, Gino Branchinelli opened the family’s first Pizzeria on 5th avenue and Bay ridge. He along with my Other Uncle, Antonio opened more locations around Brooklyn and in 1960 opened Gino’s Italian Ices on 39th street as well. In the late 60’s My Father Benito joined my uncle at his current location in Long Beach, Long Island which opened in 1962. After 14 years there, my Father decided to leave Long Beach. In the spring of 1982, along with other family members, he opened the La Villa Located in the Lindenwood section of Howard Beach. The Pizzeria was small with seating for only about 25-30 people, but it was always standing room only! The Italian ice Factory and my cousin Emilio and Uncle Mario’s pizzeria in Long Island, was where I spent my summers and weekends. Soon Pizza became my only interest! Every day with their teachings and tough love, their passions began to pass on to me! In 1986 I decided to leave NYU business school during my senior year to take La Villa over from my father with the help of my sister Irene and mom, Maurina. With long hours and hard work from my family and dedicated workers, the little 35 seat pizzeria in Howard Beach became very popular. Recent renovations have now expanded to seat over 100 with outdoor garden seating and the addition of two large Wood fired Pizza ovens.

About 1990 knowing that we were well established we thought it was a good time to seek out an additional location. With the help and partnership of a super energetic 19 year old Howard Beach kid, Louis Colello, our second location opened in 1992 on Avenue U in Mill Basin, Brooklyn. There as well we quickly grew out of our 35 seat location and in only a couple of years later expanded the store by moving over to the then retired Mr. Minetti’s hardware store. Not long after that did another young Italian kid from Brooklyn named Frankie, join our staff and later became manager and eventually current partner at the Mill Basin store!

In early 2000, with two locations and a handful of dedicated mangers, we again began scout for an additional location. Once again we set our sights on Brooklyn and began to decide on various locations. It was no coincidence then when we discovered the current location I felt strangely comfortable. At the time I had no idea that this was the exact area my family shopped and frequented when we lived in Sunset Park back in the 60’s and early 70’s. My mother would visit Vinny the Butcher (who by the way was a paesano from Salerno!) at least a few times a week, and was located on 5th avenue. Not to mention that Mr. Scicchitano’s original A&S pork store founded in 1947 was also on 5th! We news got out in the family that we were opening again in Brooklyn we received the greatest blessing from my Uncle Gino who started up on 5th avenue in 1955! On Memorial Day 2003 we opened Park Slope with my Sister Irene, my manager of Howard Beach, Billy and my longtime friend and manger of Mill Basin, Lenny! And To this day my mother Maurina can still be found in the early morning prep making sure the pomodoro sauce has the right amount of olive oil or in the evening jumping behind the busy line to sauté!