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Date: 1/11/2023
LONGMEADOW – For Frank Ferrentino, food has always been a family affair. It’s a tradition he wants to carry into Frankie’s Pizza.
The Longmeadow native and owner of the new pizzeria explained as the son of the co-owners of Tony’s Pizza and Restaurant on Boston Road in Springfield, serving food is in his blood. Opening his own shop at 809 Maple Rd. fulfilled a lifelong dream.
“I started [at Tony’s] when I was 9 years old, making boxes,” Ferrentino said. “I just worked my way up, worked my way up, worked my way up, and I’ve always wanted to have my own pizza shop. That was always my dream and I’m so happy it came through in the town I grew up in.”
He added being part of the family business taught him “everything,” down to how to properly tie his apron.
“I’ve known so much about this business and they’ve helped me out so much,” he said. “My parents, I’m so happy for them and I’m so happy they came out.”
Ferrentino was fittingly surrounded by family and friends, including Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno and Enfield, CT, Mayor Bob Cressotti during a grand opening ceremony on Jan. 7 that attracted a large crowd. Just before cutting the ribbon, Ferrentino shared a kiss with his wife, Marissa, and his young daughter Francesca helped him wield a giant pair of scissors. Ferrentino’s parents and parents in-law were also part of the festivities.
“Family is everything to me. I try to treat everyone like family, even my employees,” he said.
Those employees, he said, had been receiving intensive training in all things pizza since being hired, adding he had been impressed and felt the public would be as well.
“I threw them right into the fire this week. It’s been crazy and they’ve been doing a great job. I’m so happy I found them. It’s great people,” he said.
In addition to the neighboring mayors, state Rep. Brian Ashe and state Sen. Jake Oliviera were on hand to present the Ferrentinos with citations. Oliviera said Frankie’s Pizza will always hold a special place for him as the ceremony marked his first citation presentation as a member of the state Senate.
Ferrentino said reception to Frankie’s has been strong so far, with the first week being nothing short of “crazy.” He credited Longmeadow as being “awesome” to work with and also noted strong support from neighbors in East Longmeadow and Enfield. The shop sits just yards from the Connecticut border and approximately 1.5 miles from East Longmeadow.
Frankie’s stands in the same place the popular Riggio’s Pizzeria operated until its ownership decided to close and sell the business to Ferrentino in December 2022. In their announcement, the Riggio family stated it would announce plans for a new location with a full dining and bar experience some time in 2023.
Frankie’s Pizza is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 8 or 8:30 p.m., depending on demand. He said they would also try Sunday hours from 2 to 8 p.m., but stressed he wanted to make sure his family and staff had adequate down time.
“I know what this business is like. You’re away from your family six days a week,” he said. “I want to give everyone a break. I want everyone to have family time."