It always amazes me how everything you do in life affects someone else. From the products you buy to the rent or mortgage you pay to the places you shop to the guy you either yelled at on the LIE or graciously allowed to merge in front of you instead of trying to run him off the road. Everything you do matters, even when you believe an act or decision affects your life only. That’s simply never true.
My dad built and owned a shop on Shelter Island — I know, I talk about it all the time, but it was a pivotal business in a small community and big part of my family’s life. When he sold it, it felt like that chapter just ended. But little did I know it put into action a whole other kind of future; one that would greatly impact the wonderful Maria Serano.
When he was ready to retire, my dad, Mike Zavatto, sold his business to a woman named Gail Heinze, who hired Serano to work there. If Charity Robey hadn’t written this story on Maria’s, I would never have read the following words:
“[Serano’s] time working for Gail gave her something even more fundamental than kitchen knowledge, though. ‘She said ‘You have to have a dream,’ Serano recalls. “‘You have to think, what do you want? You can have your own business one day. And I’m going to teach you how to do it.’ And she really did teach me.”
Wow, did I love that. And Serano’s entire story of coming to America, bravely finding her way in the world, working hard, raising her kids and becoming such an important part of this community I love so much.
My grandparents and aunts were immigrants, too, coming from Italy to the U.S. in the early twentieth century. This was in the pre-Frank Sinatra world, and believe it or not this new wave of U.S. residents wasn’t exactly always received with open arms — not so different from the experience of the growing Latino community on Long Island today. My grandfather and father worked hard, built a business together and became an important part of their community, just like so many people I know in my town from Mexico and Central America today.
To know that Serano found her entrepreneurial inspiration in the walls of my dad’s old store feels like the continuation of something beautiful and important and inspiring. And if you’ve never eaten her wonderful food? Boy, you’re missing out. Serano’s quesadillas got my husband and I through the pandemic! And there are so many other delicious things she makes, with love and care. Read Charity’s story; it’s terrific. And definitely go see Maria — tell her Amy sent you.
