Franklin Square pizzeria back in business after closing its doors
Carmela’s had its grand reopening after serving the community for more than 50 years.
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A beloved restaurant in Franklin Square that closed after serving customers for five decades opened its doors once again and the community couldn’t be more excited.
“They all love us. They all root for us. And they’re coming back to us,” said Bart Calia, the original owner of Carmela's. “That's the biggest satisfaction.”
Bart Calia and his wife, Carmela, opened the pizzeria back in 1971 after immigrating from
Sicily.
It started as a small pizzeria and expanded into a full restaurant and community staple.
It was a dream come true, but after 50 years the couple made the difficult decision to sell the business. When the new owners weren’t successful, the Calia family couldn’t stand to see it closed. Bart and Carmela’s cousin, Rick Calia, bought the business and is keeping the family legacy alive.
“I passed by here every day and I've seen the closed signs,” Rick Calia said. “And I said, ‘we can't let them go down like that.’”
The Calia family says it’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it. It’s a place where customers become friends and friends become family.
