OVIEDO, Fla. – Many fathers push their goals aside to raise and provide their family.
Now, Phil and Anthony D’Amico are making cannolis, lobster tail and other Italian foods to make their father’s dream come true.
“After years and years of putting it off, he finally said ‘I just turned 61 I got to do it.’ It’s a goal of his. He said you know whatever you wanna do, we’re behind you we’ll get it done,” Anthony said.
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Giovanni D’Amico worked and operated several Italian pizzerias, delis and bakeries over the last 40 years in New York and New Jersey.
“My first job, I was 12 years old, back in the day it was legal, was filling cannolis,” Giovanni said.
During that time he developed a passion and wanted to open up a place of his own in Central Florida.
“I always said that one day that would be my call. My last adventure. Opening up an Italian supermarket,” Giovanni said.
After retiring, Giovanni and his son decided to make it happen and opened up D’Amico & Sons Italian Market & Bakery in Oviedo last November.
“He always had that vision to bring that to Central Florida. To give our Italian culture or Sicilian culture to the people of Orlando, Oviedo and surrounding areas,” Anthony said.
The sons spent several weeks learning business strategies and recipes to make sure the market will last future generations.
“We wanted to be as authentic as possible, like all of our parents are used to. Everyday we’re evolving adding new items new pastries,” Phil said.
Dad said he could not be happier watching his sons follow in his footsteps and keep his dream alive.
“When the day comes that God takes me, at least I know they are set up. They are going to be fine. That’s what makes a father proud,” Giovanni said.
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