For Massimo Napoli, the second time's a charm.
As a fresh-faced college graduate in 1995, Napoli opened the Original Italian Pizza on West Beaver Avenue, where Margarita's Pizzeria now stands. But he closed his doors in 2002 to work on other restaurants in Harrisburg and Florida
Seven years later, the Italian-trained chef has returned to State College to reopen the authentic Italian food eatery, which was once a popular restaurant in town. He said he couldn't be happier to begin the process all over again.
"It's a new venture," Napoli said. "Though I have different restaurants, it's still a new challenge because it's what I love to do."
Mamma Mia's, 128 E. College Ave., now open for two weeks, is Napoli's newest undertaking. Napoli said he decided to return to Happy Valley because he was familiar with the Penn State area -- he had taken a master's course at the university, and his old business did well in the area.
"Since I was successful previously, I thought we could try again," Napoli said.
And his restaurant had some fame in the area. Years ago, the Bryce Jordan Center came knocking on Napoli's door, asking for him to cater its events. Napoli said he happily accepted the opportunity to feed more than 50 stars who came to Penn State, ranging from Elton John to the Dixie Chicks. He still remembers the exact orders of celebrities like Bon Jovi.
After selling his State College restaurant in 2002, Napoli opened two upscale Italian dining restaurants in Harrisburg and Florida, named "Massimo Trattoria," which Napoli said means "homemade or old-school food."
At Napoli's "dream restaurant," he honed his style as a chef. Napoli and his wife still own the Florida restaurant, but they've sold their property in Harrisburg. He says his new business is doing better than he expected and plans to expand business within the month by giving out free pizza on an upcoming afternoon.
Melanie DiCarlo (sophomore-graphic design), an employee at the restaurant, attributes the quality and success of the restaurant to the owner's authenticity.
"[Napoli]'s the only real Italian person in State College making pizza," DiCarlo said.
And even though she's in competition with the former owners of her current storefront, Margarita's owner Margaret Cruz doesn't mind having another Italian pizza place in State College.
Everything with her business "will be fine the way it is," she said.
