Editor’s Note: Welcome to Inside Out, our weekly roundup of stories about Staten Islanders making waves, being seen, supporting our community and just making our borough a special place to live. Have a story for Inside Out? Email Carol Ann Benanti at benanti@siadvance.com.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Reaching a 25th business anniversary is a time to raise glasses and toast successes.
The quarter-century milestone is a testament of a lasting commitment to service, to accomplishments past and present and to future projects and advances. And the occasion serves as a time to acknowledge dedication demonstrated by staffers, clients and friends.
Ariana’s South, with Frank and Marie-Elaina DiMattina at the helm, is the case-in-point.
As the couple celebrates the silver business anniversary, their leadership in the hospitality business has created a vision for future success.
In 1998 the DiMattinas opened the doors to Ariana’s in New Dorp. With a growing client base, in 2011 the couple became the owners of Ariana’s Loft in Richmond Valley.
And with the population of Staten Island’s South Shore growing steadily, in 2016 the husband and wife team opened Ariana’s South in the same community — a stone’s throw away from the former Ariana’s Loft.
Since that time, Frank and Marie-Elaina and their three children have cultivated their business into a family affair.
All of their children, including Ariana, the namesake of the business and their eldest daughter, have become an integral part of Ariana’s South.
Frank, who serves as the executive chef, cooks up all his families’ famous recipes, while his wife, Marie-Elaina, takes care of the day-to-day in office business operations, along with their children.
DECOR AND AMENITIES
Dotted with a combination of contemporary creativity and old world charm, Ariana’s South boasts three individual private event spaces.
“Ariana’s South is up to date, bright and trendy, elegant with a contemporary feel,” said Marie-Elaina. “We have one room that is more traditionally classic and the others are accented with sleek lines and take on more of a modern feel.”
CHARITABLE ENDEAVORS
The DiMattina’s generosity and commitment to community has manifested itself in innumerable ways throughout the years.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, the DiMattina family formed one of the first recovery centers in the borough that helped feed thousands of needy residents. They personally delivered food and supplies to the elderly and infirm and to those who were homebound.
The DiMattinas spearheaded a free food distribution at Ariana’s South during the height of the pandemic and prepared home-cooked meals feeding thousands — among them first responders.
The couple donates food to local foundations, to schools across the borough and to families that have endured personal tragedies.
The DiMattinas hosted a fundraiser at Arianas South to benefit a city police officer and his family who was injured in the line of duty, in addition to paying it forward to a number of charitable foundations.
On a more recent and terribly sad note, Frank and Marie-Elena DiMattina catered a luncheon free of charge at Ariana’s South for the Alfano family of Rossville who lost their 18-year-old daughter, Madison, a college freshman, in a horrific car crash in New Jersey.
“In the ever-changing industry of small businesses, we have endured a lot of changes and challenges with the pandemic and high food costs and overall costs to keep up with a business,” explained Marie-Elena. “We as a family continue to work hard and produce a quality event in a venue that’s always upgrading their space and now added another modern room.”
She said her husband, now on social media as “Food Boss,” has amassed three million followers combined with a product line sold in local stores and online.
Watch for the DiMattina family’s next challenge. The food gurus will soon open the doors to a brand new restaurant boasting Italian cuisine within the next few months.
CELEBRATIONS – FEB. 4 TO FEB. 10
FEB. 4
Sunday is birthday time for Phillip Santanello, Anthony Siciliano, Fadil Molabecirovic, Kristen Heuser, Tom Fitzpatrick, Charista Santos Mroczek, a former Miss Staten Island Outstanding Teen 2016 and Miss Richmond County Outstanding Teen 2014, Lydia Loscalzo, Antonio Taylor who turns 11 years-old, Jessica Petrizzi, Aidan McCallion and Kim Attanasi. ¶
FEB. 5
The best of birthdays Monday to Madison L’Insalata, Miss Staten Island 2020, Alice Knisley, Miss Saten Island 1985 turned Miss New York, Sarah Heather Posner, Isabella Garcia, who turns 19, Honolee Cole, Ronald Hayward, Steven Marino and Dorothy Grossman.
Happy wedding anniversary Monday to Bonnie and Joel (Staten Island’s nonprofit volunteer videographer) Bibula who celebrate 30 years of marriage. And happy wedding anniversary to Margaret and Fred Black.
FEB. 6
Birthday greetings Tuesday to Joseph LaBove, Lou Bergonzi, Marie Reindl of New Springville, Kurt Schroder, John Nappi, Meg Ventrudo, Artie Waldhelm, John Boyle, principal of Totten Intermediate School and Jim Morri. ¶
FEB. 7
The happiest of birthdays Wednesday to former Congressman Michael Grimm, Pat DiScenza, who turns 84, Joanne Nuzzo, Esther Montalbano, Scott Johnsen, Christian Pfaff, Jim Bunberry, Andrew Morales, Samantha Decker and twins Eleanor Danis and Theresa Gargano.
FEB. 8
Happy birthday Thursday to Jennifer Simonson, Olga “Oogie” Smith, Christopher Uhlig, Raymond Marsh, Art Truscelli, Alexandria Nicole Catalano, Buddy Connor, Caitlin McTiernan, Grace Buono, Marc and Elizabeth Dennis who share their birthday, but are nine years apart.
FEB. 9
Friday is birthday time for Jillian Manna Dacunto, Mary Clooney of Annadale, Gail LaChance, Ron Riccardi, Franny Montalbano and Mary Clooney of Annadale.
FEB. 10
Happy birthday to Phil Migliore, Mary DeMaio, Victoria Tabacco who turns 25, Edward Sierp, Timothy Smith, Michael Pelle Sr., Steven Heyward, Ruth Waldhelm, Maliyah Greene and Felix Torres Jr.
Happy wedding anniversary to Helen and Harry Heyward.