Building a Life in Longmeadow - One Slice at a Time
Written by Seth Stutman
Photos by Melissa Ferrentino & Rob LeBlanc
Sponsored by East Village Place
Published in Longmeadow Neighbors (February 2023)
For the Ferrentino family, it was always Longmeadow - and nearly every morning - it’s coffee at the Shoppes. “We get morning coffee every day at Starbucks with a group of friends known as the “Delaney Market Club,” said Marissa Ferrentino, 31.
Traditions like this are important to the Ferrentino family, and there are plenty of family members taking part! Marissa and Frankie live in Longmeadow with their two-year-old daughter, Francesca - but when you add in Frankie’s Italian family, and Marissa’s Portuguese family, the Thanksgiving table gets pretty long.
“Frankie is one of 6 siblings, we have 13 nieces and nephews, and both our grandmothers are with us, making them great-grandmothers,” said Marissa. These deep family roots inspire more than just coffee dates; the American Dream and entrepreneurship run through both sides of the Ferrentino family.
“We are first generation “kids” from families of immigrants,” Marissa said. “My parents immigrated from Portugal, and they own a jewelry store in Ludlow, J&M Jewelers. Being raised in family-owned businesses inspired us and we grew to appreciate the “American dream” we all strive for.”
Frankie’s family traces their roots back to Italy, but he was born and raised in Longmeadow. An exceptional student and football player, Frankie also got a taste for family business, working for his family’s restaurant, Tony’s Pizza and Restaurant, on Boston Road in Springfield.
Marissa grew up in Ludlow, where she lettered for three years on the women’s soccer team. She continued her soccer journey at the University of Massachusetts, where she studied at the Isenberg Business School, graduating with a degree in Accounting. After graduation, Marissa began her career at KPMG, and has worked since at multiple large agencies in the area. She is fluent in her native, Portuguese, Spanish, English and Italian, and speaks glowingly of Longmeadow in all four languages.
“We absolutely love living in Longmeadow,” she said. “It’s a great town to walk in, converse with neighbors and really feel connected to the community. We enjoy playgroups at the park and spending time at the Storrs Library. We feel fortunate to enjoy a community such as this and are excited for our new business venture in town!”
The Ferrentino’s are raising more than a family in town, they are continuing in the footsteps of their parents, opening a small business. In January, Frankie’s Pizza opened at the site of the old Riggo’s Pizza, next to One Way Brewing, in an area that has long been regarded as the other ‘downtown’ in Longmeadow.
The appeal of owning a business in a town that they lived in was a big selling point - and the former Riggo’s location is well situated already for pizza in an area slated for a renaissance once plans are in order for the former Armada’s plaza across the street. For those who love Riggo’s, they have stated a future preference to move into a location that allows for a sit-down dining experience, complete with food and beverage service.
Despite the never-ending hard work of operating a small business, this short commute will help to keep the Ferrentino family enjoying the town they chose to raise a family and restaurant in. “As a family, we enjoy spending time with our families and being outdoors,” Marissa says. “Francesca enjoys playing soccer, swinging, hanging out with her cousins and neighbors Julia and Ryan Bouchard and all things Peppa Pig!”
From coffee conversations in the mornings to flour-dusted aprons in the afternoons, the Ferrentino family has deeply planted their roots in Longmeadow. “Longmeadow has great schools, Saint Mary's Church and Academy, wonderful sidewalks to walk,” said Marissa, “and we live super close to the center to enjoy strolling the shops!”
