Meet Margo and JoJo Pergola of Vinnola’s Italian Market in Wheat Ridge

Today we’d like to introduce you to Margo and JoJo Pergola.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Margo and JoJo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Vinnola’s is 50 years old! Started by Mile Vinnola, bought by JoJo’s father which he owned for 17 years, then we bought from him in 2017. When we bought the business, the lack of care and love it had been shown was apparent. We had a vision to bring it back to life— full of love, attention to detail, full of flavor and a modern style. In almost three years, we have increased the business, really taken care of the customers, included more imported Italian specialty items and kitchenware. With a lot of hard work, we have taken Vinnola’s into the modern world—losing none of its history or feeling of home. Recipes are 100% still the same— to the red sauce, the fresh-baked Italian bread, focaccia and desserts, to the items in the menu— but executed better! Our business has steadily increased! Our online presents had hugely impacted our growth and we have become a popular name in many communities. We still have a long way to go but are excited to start huge transformations for the interior! Starting with the new flooring, we have dreams and plans to create a true authentic Italian/American hangout adding Authentic Italian gelato and Libations to the menu, to removing the old worn down, worn-out red/green/white themed plastic grapes and vines and adding modern, classic features with authentic Italian kitchen and food-themed decor! We have new tables, chairs and booths that have been recently purchased to add to the comfortably stylish decor.

Has it been a smooth road?
Not such a smooth road. Many obstacles including very old equipment the thane broken down on many occasions such as our 50 yr old freezer, cooler, oven, air conditioners/heaters, grill and deli and bakery cases. Sigh. Lots of money and sweat have been spent on fixing these items. But we are so successful in rebuilding the business that thank god we have finally been able to completely replace such items.

 Other obstacles include old ownership staff which had a hard transition of going from a management focused on “me and I” to learning to become a team and helping one another.

 There is something to be said about beginning a brand new business full of the unknown and so much uncertainly or jumping into an established business and inheriting a slew of problems. We are blessed and grateful that on day 1 we have had an established customer base— but with they we have had to break thru the barriers of “that’s not what they used to do here” and from the staff “that’s not how we do it”. Patience and lots of reassurance has been the key. Sooner than later— people and staff have trusted us and understood that change is ok and that our vision—full of enthusiasm and thought— is exciting to see and be apart of.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a restaurant, a bakery, a deli and a market. We also do catering. We bake our bread fresh every day, we make our sauce from scratch and create unbelievably delicious treats and Pizzelle’s! We dry our own sausage (dried sausage) which is a very popular item, we have take home meals such as our famous Lasagna! A patron favorite is our easy meal, mini sausage or meatball rolls. Famous for their freshness and ease! People love to grab our fresh pizza dough to create their own pizza at home! People can’t get over our pastries and cookies! If you see our case you would go crazy trying to decide what to eat first!

 We are most proud of our lasagna… wait-our mini sausage rolls— no, probably our sausage sandwich they can’t be beat! No no, most proud of our homemade cannoli shells and filling that we will gladly put into any cannoli contest! Oh— but we forgot about our desserts and cakes— because they look and taste like nothing you’ve ever had! Actually… as you can see, we truly cannot choose. We are known for so many many items because we have so many different departments to be proud of. Most of all— we are proud of our customer base following and our little family. Customers they are die-hard fans no matter what we do! And our family of 5. Three littles who already have learned what hard work looks and feels like at such young ages of 7-5-3. They have spent more long nights and Sundays at vinnolas moping the floors, sticking the shelves, baking bread, washing tables and chairs etc. they have such an advantage over most children their age.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Wheat Ridge is very much behind their businesses— Denver is our neighbor and we are just as much a part of the city as others. People consider us in Denver. We have support of both cities.

Contact Info:

• Address: 7750 W. 38th Ave. Whest Ridge CO 80033
• Website: www.vinnolasitalianmarket.com
• Phone: 303-421-3955
• Email: vinnolasitalianmarket.com
• Instagram: Vinnolasitalianmarket1
• Facebook: Vinnola’s Italian Market

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