News Release - Mayor Duffy Cuts Ribbon at Savoia Pastry Shoppe

City of Rochester

News Release

Sweet Tradition Carries On at Newly-Expanded Location

(Wednesday, December 16, 2009)
– Mayor Robert J. Duffy and R. Carlos Carballada, the City’s Commissioner of Neighborhood and Business Development, joined owners Kathy and George Privitera to officially celebrate the newly-expanded Savoia Pastry Shoppe today at 2267 Clifford Avenue.
Savoia Pastry Shoppe was originally opened in 1929 at 442 North St. by Sicilian immigrants, Teresa and Michael Petrantoni. Savoia’s quickly became a success and remains popular with Rochesterians. During the 1940’s, new products were added, the most significant being Italian tea cookies, which the owners fashioned into cookie cakes, used first at wedding receptions and now popular for all types of gatherings and celebrations.
Having solidified its reputation throughout the area for delicious Italian pastries, Savoia’s relocated in 1971 to their current Clifford Ave. location. Kathy and George Privitera purchased Savoia’s in 2006 from the Petrantoni family and added more products. While honoring the traditions of the past by producing the shop’s popular Italian pastries, they also wanted to celebrate the richness of their city neighborhood by adding Hispanic offerings and specialty breads, along with dessert cakes, cheesecakes, stuffed breads and pizza.
“This was a family-owned and operated business in 1929 and it remains a successful family business to this day,” said Mayor Duffy. “We are pleased and honored that the Privitera’s kept Savoia’s in the city. The quality of their baked goods continues to delight neighborhood residents and draw customers from throughout the community and beyond.”
The City provided approximately $35,000 in matching grant assistance for security and technology improvements and façade renovation. The owners provided the remainder of the financing for the purchase and renovation of the buildings adjacent to the current shop, which added 3,000 sq. ft. to the former 3,700 sq. ft. building.
Owner George Privitera said that, “Kathy and I are proud to have the Savoia Pastry Shoppe remain part of the fabric of the city of Rochester. We are thankful for the efforts of Mayor Duffy, Commissioner Carlos Carballada and their entire staff that helped make this transition possible.”
-30-
News Media: For information, call Neighborhood and Business Development Commissioner R. Carlos Carballada at (585) 428-8801.