THE Palozzi family had prepared to bid an emotional arrivederci to their landmark Italian restaurant, but after a rollercoaster month, they are poised to stay.
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Manager Angelo Palozzi, who operates Arrivederci with his siblings Mario, Mary and Lina – their eldest brother Patrick passed away in 2006 – said the family received an avalanche of calls after they listed their Glebe Road building at The Junction for sale with vacant possession.
“We had people say 'how could you do this to us?' and that they would find out where we lived so they could still come over for dinner," Angelo Palozzi said.
"We've seen people propose here, hosted 18th and 21st birthday parties, even a wedding reception.
“We've had regulars come in with babies who are now coming in with their own babies, so we've become part of people's lives."
Mr Palozzi said the family had always planned if they didn't receive their goal price at or after the December 16 auction to negotiate to rent the premises and continue to operate the business.
He said they expected to exchange contracts in the new year with the buyer – a party of three investors – and to sign a three-year lease from April, with a further three-year option.
"We were not in a real hurry to get out and all the siblings have agreed to stay on.
“It's in our blood – 15 of our 18 children have also worked here," Mr Palozzi said.
"It has been a big year – our father who held it all together passed away at the end of July and Mary's husband Chad died too.
“We thought it may be time to go and look for a change after 33 years, have a holiday, but then realised it's not meant to be now. We are happy to be here for a few more years."
The Palozzis' late parents Riccardo and Tulia purchased the business from Riccardo's nephew in 1984 and the building around 1989.
Tulia Palozzi served her mother’s recipes, honed in her hometown of Villavallelonga, in central Italy.
“Mario was a crane driver and I was an apprentice boilermaker when they bought the restaurant and Mum taught us how to cook too," he said.
"Her recipes continue on, even though she's been gone for more than 20 years.
“We still make all our own lasagna, gnocchi, cannelloni and fillings. It's all from the heart."
Mr Palozzi attributed Arrivederci's popularity to it's "casual" feel.
"It's not fine dining – people feel welcome and like it's a second home."
Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
