Portraits of Pine Brook

Portraits of Pine Brook

PI N E B R O O K N E I G H BOR H OOD R E V I TA LI Z AT I ON S C R AN TO N , PE N N S YLVA N I A PINE BROOK SCRANTON | 1

PORTRAITS Erica Vitaletti, National Bakery Meegan Possemato, On&On John Lettieri, Lettieri Auction & Appraisals Carmile Fiorillo, Antonio’s Pizza & Restaurant Jeff Vagnetti, Lackawanna Printing Co. Annie Grossinger, Photographer

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Erica Vitaletti, National Bakery a third generation Scranton institution Baking is in their blood. Anthony Vitaletti (Erica’s

so the family had a plan B. Enrico Sr. went to

grandfather) grew up baking at Lucci’s Bakery

RIT, before he and his brother took over the

in Archibald. When he came back from World

business. And now Enrico’s son is president of

War II, he wanted to open his own bakery. One

the corporation.

day a friend of his pulled up said, “Get in the car. There’s a little bakery for sale in Scranton.”

That was 1946. Anthony got in the car and never looked back. No one knows why he picked the

“Pine Brook is the perfect spot for us, we haven’t ever considered leaving – people stop by on their way to and from Downtown. We are part of

name “National Bakery,” but it stuck.

people’s daily routines and holidays. We have the

What started as a small Scranton bakery is now

– schools, colleges, restaurants – and still be the

a multi-generational Scranton institution. Four

go-to for family picnics and events like the Italian

of Anthony’s brothers worked with him, but he

festival. It is the best of both worlds,” said Enrico

insisted his son (Enrico Sr.) get an education

Vitaletti, Sr.

space and flexibility to work with large accounts

PINE BROOK SCRANTON | 5

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Meegan Possemato, On&On

the incubator marketplace for vintage wares On&On started out as a hobby of Meegan’s –

Enter On&On. With Meegan’s marketing

she was testing out the concept of marketing

experience and breadth of local knowledge, she

a collective group with a similar interest:

and her partner Andrew opted to lease her first

repurposed, handmade, or vintage objects.

brick and mortar space, it was a modest 1,200

Eventually she had developed a network of

SF. In less than two years, they’d outgrown their

vendors, and had successfully hosted three pop

storefront and bought their current location: a

up events, bringing interest and buyers. After

6,000 SF warehouse with ample parking. After

the third success, she had proof of concept and

moving to Pine Brook three years ago with a bit

she felt there was a demand for a marketplace.

of trepidation she’s never looked back. They’re

Her vendors were looking for a more permanent

now a regional vintage destination and bursting

home for their wares, beyond individual pop ups

at the seams with goodies.

and flea markets.

PINE BROOK SCRANTON | 7

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John Lettieri, Lettieri Auction and Appraisals auctioneer, appraiser, and podcast host John Lettieri (pictured left) is a retired

John needed his own space -- and it didn’t

pharmacist whose hobby turned into a

need to be abundant with foot traffic, it’s an

business. John was buying and selling on Ebay

auction house after all. “If you have the right

but realized he was on the wrong side of the

stuff they’ll come from all over, and they’re like

transaction. For 8 years, John worked at New

little kids [people with money] after the house

York City flea markets selling furniture he

and the car they start collecting… and they

made out of reclaimed barnwood through a

get really particular – if you’re not familiar with

partnership with Lancaster Mennonites.

it, they’ll be explaining why one thing is more

“New York City’s flea market scene was like a jungle,” John said. Even after hiring a former taxi driver as his guide he knew there must be a better way than to be a “tourist” in this particular urban jungle.

valuable than the next and it just sounds like ‘it’s got the whizmidoodles not the zipteedoos,’” said John, who has successfully auctioned both whizmidoodles and zipteedoos to collectors from all over the globe.

PINE BROOK SCRANTON | 9

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Carmile Fiorillo, Antonio’s Pizza & Restaurant Second generation pizza chef Antonio Fiorillo immigrated from Italy at

“When my Dad first opened the shop, people

age 19. Carmine (pictured to the left) is his

gave him a hard time. They broke the shop

son. Antonio learned to make pizza in the

windows and stuff like that. Maybe his Italian

Italian village where he grew up. He brought

heritage had something to do with it? Hard to

his penchant for pizza-making with him to

know. It isn’t really like that anymore, but back

Scranton, however, Antionio traveled for work

then it mattered he wasn’t from Scranton,”

rarely getting the opportunity to hone his

said Carmine. Antonio was determined, and

culinary craft. In 1983, he changed course

over time he made those same rock throwing

and decided he’d like to work closer to home

people his friends. “He was very forgiving and

so he opened up the pizza shop.

resilient,” said Carmine. Proving resilience and forgiveness are vital attributes of any successful business owner.

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Jeff Vagnetti, Lackawanna Printing Co. The end of the line

Jeff and his father worked at the Tribune

the shop – it is all delivery. So, it is really

and decided to start their own printing

about proximity and access, more than the

business because they saw the writing on

immediate surroundings of the shop. Which

the wall with newspapers downsizing and

makes Pine Brook an ideal location. But it’s

evolving nationwide. They moved to this

more than a strategic location that keeps his

location in 1971, but Jeff is the end of the

business a success. Jeff believes it all hinges

line – he’ll continue running the business

on integrity.

until he retires, but he doesn’t have children he expects to pass the business along to

“It’s about being good, honest people. Treat

and so he thinks the business will close

them good and they treat you good. Total

once he is ready to move on. The location

honesty – that’s it,” says Jeff. “I treat my

is perfect for quick service to Downtown

customers like family because they feed me.

clients, but most clients never come to

After 30 years, they’re not just a customer.”

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ncnepa.org/

“ WRT Planning + Design 1700 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 wrtdesign.com

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania 425 Alder Street Scranton, PA 18505 uncnepa.org/