our story
Coming to America
In the year 1920, after serving in the Italian Army during WW1, Raffaele Giannella made the decision to immigrate to the United States. His beloved wife, Elisabetta, and their eight children patiently awaited his arrival in San Marco di Castellabate, hoping for a brighter future in America.
Raffaele, a skilled baker by trade, found his place in Paterson, NJ, where he secured employment at Lazzara and Tomasi Bakeries. However, his dreams of providing a prosperous life for his family pushed him to open his own bakery, Giannella's, in 1927. Despite the looming threat of the Great Depression, Raffaele's bakery thrived. Finally, in 1930, he joyfully reunited with his wife and children in the land of opportunity.
Silvio Giannella, the youngest of Raffaele's children, had never met his father until he turned nine years old. Silvio's mother, Elisabetta, was pregnant when Raffaele embarked on his journey to the United States. Silvio vividly remembered the moment he laid eyes on his father for the first time aboard the SS Roma in 1930, describing him as a well-dressed and impressive figure.
At the tender age of thirteen, Silvio began working alongside his fifteen-year-old brother, Fiore, at the family bakery. Giannella's Bakery faced numerous challenges, including employee theft and a declining bread route. Recognizing his natural talent for business, Silvio convinced his father to entrust him with the troubled route. Within weeks, Silvio managed to turn the route around, transforming it into a profitable venture. He displayed an innate ability to excel in the world of business. Silvio continued to flawlessly manage the route until he and Fiore were drafted into the military during WW2.
Brothers in War
In 1942, Silvio, aged 20, was drafted into the Army, while Fiore, aged 22, joined the Marines. Fate had a different plan for the brothers, as they found themselves involved in two of the deadliest battles in history. Silvio stood on the shores of Omaha Beach on D-Day, while Fiore fought in the victorious American battle on Iwo Jima in March 1945.
As the war progressed, Silvio and his unit were preparing to join the fight in the Pacific against the Japanese when Japan surrendered in May 1945. Silvio and his fellow soldiers spent two months in a village outside of Paris, eagerly awaiting their return to America. It was during this time that Silvio received the devastating news of Fiore's death on Iwo Jima. The loss shattered Silvio, as he had believed they would both make it through the war.
Return from Service
Upon his discharge on December 7, 1945, Silvio returned home to a bittersweet celebration. The family was mourning the loss of Fiore, and his mother, Elisabetta, never recovered, spending her remaining years in grief. Silvio had no time to grieve, as his father's health was rapidly declining due to diabetes, and the family business, Giannella's Bakery, was on the brink of bankruptcy.
In 1948, Raffaele passed away, leaving a void in the Giannella family. Silvio took on the responsibility of running the bakery alongside his brother Mario. With Silvio's leadership, the bakery quickly regained its footing. However, Silvio had a vision for the vacant corner store next to the bakery, which would become the catalyst for decades of success.
21st Avenue
In 1948, Silvio and Mario opened a Delicatessen on the corner next to the bakery. Despite initial skepticism from the family due to a failed attempt at a pizzeria in 1937, the deli quickly became a hit, with lines forming around the corner. Giannella's Bakery and Delicatessen became a beloved establishment in Paterson.
The 1950s and 1960s were years of growth and prosperity for Silvio and Mario, both personally and professionally. Silvio married Sylvia Martelli in 1947 and had six children, while Mario and Josephine had three. In 1959, Silvio and Mario built the iconic Giannella's location on 21st Avenue, offering a wide range of Italian bread, pastries, deli meats, and prepared foods. Customers from all over Northern New Jersey flocked to Giannella's on 21st Avenue.
A Generational business
In the 1970s, Silvio's children began learning the family business, with his son Robert shining on the retail side. Robert took over the 21st Avenue location at the age of 20 and ran it with perfection. Giannella's expanded its success to Wayne in 1976 and Glen Rock in 1990, becoming a multi-generational family business.
However, tragedy struck again in 1996 when Robert passed away after battling cancer. The family and the business never fully recovered from the loss. In 1998, Silvio sold the wholesale bakery and two retail locations, leaving only Giannella's of Glen Rock. Most of the family moved on to new careers.
Giannella's of Glen Rock, discovered by Silvio's second youngest son Ralph in 1990, experienced great success for decades. However business began to decline as Giannella’s clung to an old outdated identity. In 2012 Silvio’s grandson, Michael, took the reins and immediately implemented a change from an old bakery and deli to a fast casual restaurant specializing in gourmet subs, salads and breakfast.
Throughout the changes, one thing remained constant - the commitment to Raffaele Giannella's principles of supreme quality and exemplary service. Giannella's of Glen Rock stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of the Giannella family. It will continue to evolve and adapt, ensuring that the legacy of Raffaele Giannella lives on for generations to come.