A NEW name is on Stalybridge’s burgeoning food and drink scene – but it pays tribute to the past.
Nonna’s is already proving popular after opening on Armentieres Square.
Specialising in three Italian staples – coffee, cake and cannoli – customers can also enjoy a beer or a glass of wine inside or buy bottes to take home.
A more substantial food menu includes tasty sandwiches and deli boards. People can also purchase pasta, bags of beans of the coffee they serve and other treats.
But despite being rooted in the Campagna area of Italy, where ‘Nonna’ Maria, grandmother of co-owner Anthony Zazzarino, came from – there is a huge local connection as Antony and husband Jack Blanchard have been familiar figures in the town for years.
Not least the coffee being Dark Woods, with Christina Longden writing a book about her three-times great grandfather, Robert ‘Reschid’ Stanley, a pioneering former mayor of the town.
“Even the cakes are local as the maker, Oven and Mmm, is from Stalybridge,” said Anthony, who also stocks Greenfield-based Prendi Il Biscotto products.
“We use a woman called Carmella, who comes from Dukinfield, for our hot food.
“There’s a picture of nonna and also one of me with nonna on the walls, that’s where the inspiration came from.
“We got to Italy a few times a year, so we’ve tried to bring bits of the Italian cafes we go to here.
“Things like giving complimentary water with the coffees, whether you want it or not!
“And in Stalybridge, there’s a bit of a food trail, starting with other businesses in the town too. So many people have been here after going to another place or come here then go elsewhere.
“It could be a destination in the future.”
Anthony and Jack are certainly busy. One still works as an account manager for a telecoms company, the other runs a hair salon in Stockport!
And you can tell the Italian influence is strong when customers walk in, stop, sniff up and say, ‘It’s just like I’m in Italy.’
“Hopefully, it’ll be worth it,” Anthony added.
“The idea was on the making for about three years and when the unit came up, we thought, ‘Let’s give it a try.’
“It feels like you could be in Italy. It feels like you could be on holiday, in one of the cafes we go to.
“And the reception has been really nice. People like it.”
NONNA’S, at 9, Armentieres Square in Stalybridge, is open from 9am until 4pm on Monday and Tuesday, from 9am until 10pm Thursday-Saturday and from 10am until 3pm on Sunday.
You can contact them by emailing nonnas.stalybridge@gmail.com.
I have been here. The coffee was delicious,the environment clean,pleasant and modern.
The manager friendly.
I will go again